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128-bit Encryption
128-bit encryption means that the data cryptographically encoded during an SSL session is at the highest level currently available, and nearly impossible to break. Compared to a 40-bit encrypted SSL certificate, a 128-bit is more than 300 septillion (300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) times stronger. All certificates offered by SRSplus are encrypted at 128 bits
A Record
All servers connected to the Internet are assigned a unique IP address. An A record associates a name to the server's IP address. This allows people to utilize easy-to-remember domain names instead of hard-to-remember IP addresses to connect to a Web site. For example, you could type in 216.168.229.190 into your Web browser to get to the SRSplus Web site, or you could simply type in www.srsplus.com.
ACK (Acknowledge)
An acknowledgement (approval) from an authorized point of contact for a domain name record, contact record, or host record that a requested modification should be completed. When a modification request is received from a source that is not an authorized contact, the request will be rejected and a message will be sent to the listed contacts asking them to ACK (approve) or NACK (disapprove) the modification.
Administrative Contact
The Administrative Contact is an individual authorized to interact with SRSplus on behalf of the domain name Registrant, and who has full authority to make updates to the domain name, including contact information and name server information. The Administrative Contact should be able to answer non-technical questions about the domain name's registration and the domain name Registrant.
See also: Registrant, Billing Contact, Technical Contact
Advanced DNS
You can host your domain names on Network Solutions name servers for free. DNS information is not required at the time of registration and the domain name will resolve to our default Standard Under Construction page. At any time, you can enter and make changes to the following records: A, MX for e-mail and CNAME for domain alias.
Application Program Interface (API)
An interface used by a programmer writing an application program to make requests of the operating system or another application.
Authorization
A process used to verify that those requesting an action are entitled to do so. For example, entering the correct account number and password authorizes you to make changes to your account.
Authorization Code
An Authorization Code (also referred to as an Auth Code or an EPP code) provides an extra level of security for the domain name registration. The 6-16 character code is unique for each domain name and is assigned by the registrar at the time the domain name is registered. A confirmation of your authorization code is required by certain registries in order to transfer a domain name. When completing a Change of Registrar Request, you will need to obtain an Authorization Code from the registrar currently holding your domain name.
Billing Contact
The contact responsible for paying registration and renewal fees for a domain name.
ccTLD
A ccTLD is a Country Code Top-Level Domain. Each ccTLD belongs to a particular recognized country, and each country gets to decide how the Registry for domains within that ccTLD should be run. Some countries run their registries themselves; others delegate this job to ISPs or other networking companies.
CGI-Bin Directory
A directory on the server where the executable CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts reside.
Change Of Registrar Request (CRR)
If you have domain names registered with another registrar, you can transfer them to SRSplus and consolidate them with your already existing registrations. This is known as a Change of Registrar Request – a request to transfer a registered domain name from one registrar to another registrar.
Contact
Contacts are individuals or groups who represent the Registrant on matters related to the Registrant's domain name. There are three types of contacts: Administrative, Technical, and Billing. The entity listed as the Administrative, Technical, or Billing contact should be the entity best able to answer questions about that particular aspect of the domain name's registration
Contact Handle
The unique identifying code for a registrant linked to a file in the registry, which contains contact information. Registrants are assigned a contact handle at the time of their first domain name registration.
CNAME Record
The CNAME Record, short for "Canonical Name", allows you to create alias names to existing Internet host records. CNAME records are helpful when pointing multiple domain names to the same host. Be careful using CNAME records. Only persons highly familiar with DNS should attempt to use CNAMES, or you could create routing problems for all of your DNS information including your Web site and e-mail.
Deactivation
When a Web address is deactivated, it can no longer be translated into the numerical addresses used by the network. When deactivated, a web address ceases to function as an Internet address. When a domain name is deactivated, the Domain Name System (DNS) will no longer have the information needed to resolve the domain name to its corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) number(s), effectively disabling the domain name as a tool for locating the related computers or organizations.
Deletion
The process of removing a domain name and its corresponding record from the Domain Name System (DNS) and the SRSplus domain name database. A deleted domain name cannot be used to locate computers on the Internet and will be made available for other parties to register on a first-come, first-served basis. A domain name may be deleted at the request of the domain name Registrant, as a result of non-payment of fees, or due to circumstances particular to individual cases.
Distribution Partner
Providers who buy domain names for a significant discount to resell to and provide real-time domain name registrations directly to customers from their Web sites.
Domain
A subset of the total domain name space. A domain represents a level of the hierarchy in the Domain Name Space, and is represented by a domain name. For example, the domain name networksolutions.com represents the second level domain "networksolutions" which is a subset, or sub-domain, of the top-level domain .com. .com is in turn a larger subset of the total Domain Name Space. If you think of the Domain Name Space as a tree, a domain would be analogous to a limb and would encompass all of the branches off of that limb.
Domain Name
A meaningful and easy-to-remember "handle" for an Internet address (such as Dot.tv), that corresponds to a series of numbers (internet protocol numbers), which locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. Once registered, the domain name belongs to the registrar for as long as they continue to pay and follow the terms of use.
Domain Name Disputes
Disputes that arise over conflicting positions as to who has the right to register a specific domain name. Disputes often occur when a domain name that is the same, or similar to, a valid registered trademark is registered by a party that is not the owner of the registered trademark. A central factor in domain name disputes is the fact that domain names at the same level of the hierarchy must be unique. See our Domain Name Dispute Policy.
Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy
The policy became effective January 1, 2000. Under this policy, neutral and accredited dispute resolution service providers will resolve disputes. Here's how the current policy differs from the previous policy:
- Under the policy, domain names will not be put on "Hold."
- The policy applies to all state and common law trademarks, as well as to nationally registered trademarks.
- The policy allows complainants to include any domain name that is confusingly similar to their trademark - as well as identical to their trademark. For more information on the new Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, see the Domain Magistrate Web site.
Domain Name System (DNS)
Maps the host name of a computer to the host name of the Web site. The domain name system (DNS) is the way that Internet domain name are located and translated into Internet Protocol addresses.
Domain Protect
Domain Protect adds an extra layer of protection to your domain name registration, guarding it against unauthorized domain name transfers. Every domain name registration with SRSplus comes with the free Domain Protect feature. When turned on, Domain Protect helps to block the transfer of your domain name to another registrar. It provides protection from "domain hijackers," or others who may attempt to authorize a transfer of your domain name registration. With Domain Protect turned on you can still renew and modify domain names, including performing legal name changes. To transfer a domain name to another registrar, you must first turn off Domain Protect.
E-mail
E-mail is short for electronic mail. It consists of messages, often just text, sent from one user to another via a network.
E-mail Address
This refers to an electronic mailing address to which e-mail may be sent and received.
Extensions
SRSplus offers a variety of domain name extensions. Protecting brand identity has become very important, so often customers will register multiple extensions and variations of their domain names.
Expiration Date
The expiration or anniversary date for your domain name is directly related to the length of service you requested during your registration or renewal transaction. To find the expiration date for your domain name, check out your WHOIS record . Your expiration date is shown at the bottom
FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows you to upload files to your Web site from your computer. It's a necessity if you're using FrontPage or another Web site design software package to build and/or update your Web site.
Homepage
Also referred to as a Web page, the home page is the starting point of a Web presence. It is a sort of table of contents for everything that is on the Web site, offering direct links to the different parts of the site.
Host (Nameserver)
At SRSplus, the term is most often used to refer to name servers, the computers that have both the software and the data required to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
A programming language used to build Web sites; it defines how the Web pages will look and how the visitor will be able to move around the Web site. Today there are online templates and tools, as well as software packages, which allow you to build a Web site without knowing HTML.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
The nonprofit body responsible for oversight of the domain name system and for accrediting domain name registrars.
Internet Protocol (IP) Numbers (IP addresses)
A unique, numeric identifier used to specify hosts and networks. Internet Protocol (IP) numbers are part of a global, standardized scheme for identifying machines that are connected to the Internet. The IP Address is the numeric address that refers to a specific machine or resource on the Internet. Every server on the internet has at least one IP address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers on the Internet.
Technically speaking, IP numbers are 32 bit addresses that consist of four octets, and they are expressed as four numbers between 0 and 255, separated by periods, for example: 216.168.224.69. IP allocation for the Americas, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa are currently handled by the American Registry for Internet Numbers.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that provides individuals and other company's access to the Internet and other related services such as Web site building and e-mail service. Name Server A computer that maps domain names to their IP addresses (also known as DNS or host servers).
Java
Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. to create executable content (i.e. self-running applications) that can be easily distributed through networks like the Internet. Developers use Java to create special programs that can be incorporated in Web pages to make them interactive.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language that allows dynamic behavior to be specified within HTML documents.
JPEG
JPEG is an acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, an industry committee that developed a compression standard for still images. JPEG refers to the graphics file format that uses this compression standard. If you've ever received pictures over the Internet, they were probably in JPEG format.
MX Record (Mail Exchange Record)
MX ("Mail eXchange") records are used to determine the delivery route for your E-mail. For example, if you want to host your own mail server for the domain in your account, you will need to specify the mail server names as MX records.
In addition, you can specify multiple mail servers and rank them by priority in the event the primary mail server is not responding. If you give the same rank to different mail servers, the traffic load to those servers will be shared. Mail will be delivered to the server with the lowest priority number.
Modification
The process of updating an existing domain name record, contact record, or host (name server) record to reflect changes in existing information. Modifications include: changing information on an existing contact record; replacing an existing contact on a domain name record with a new contact; changing information on an existing host record; changing the name servers listed on an existing domain name record; changing information about the organization who registered a domain name (there are some cases when changes in the organization's name may require a new, separate registration). There is no additional charge to modify an existing domain, contact, or host record. Keeping these records up to date is critical to the smooth operation of the Domain Name System (DNS), and it is the responsibility of the registrant to ensure that domain name record(s) are kept up to date.
Name Server
Also called a host. A computer that has both the software and the data (zone files) needed to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers.
Parked Domains
SRSplus Parked domains do not require DNS information at the time of registration and are hosted on SRSplus DNS for partners free of charge. When you are ready to point a domain name to a Web site, you can do so through the Manage DNS flow under the Domains tab in Partner Manager.
Perl
A script programming language.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
A program used to encrypt and decrypt e-mail over the Internet. It can also be used to send an encrypted digital signature that lets the receiver verify the sender's identity and know that the message was not changed en route.
Primary Server
The host name and Internet Protocol (IP) number of the name server contains authoritative information for the domain name and is used to resolve that domain name to its corresponding IP number(s). The designation of "primary" means that this name server is first and relied upon before any of the other name servers that may be listed on the domain name registration.
Private Key
An encryption/decryption key known only to the party or parties that exchange secret messages.
Public Key
A public key is a value provided by some designated authority as a key that, combined with a private key derived from the public key, can be used to effectively encrypt messages and digital signatures. In a public key system, each user has a publicly known encryption key and a private key known only to that user. Messages are encrypted using the receiver's public key. When they receive it, they decrypt it using their private key.
Registrant
The individual or organization that registers a specific domain name. This individual or organization holds the right to use that specific domain name for a specified period of time, provided certain conditions are met and the registration fees are paid. This person or organization is the "legal entity" bound by the terms of the Service Agreement.
Registrar
(or "Domain Name Registrar")An organization or individual that acts on behalf of a registrant to register a domain name and manage updates and changes to that name record thereafter.
Registry
The Internet Registry manages the Internet's domain name system, the formal recording of a domain name, and its authorized contact DNS server information.
Registrant Name Change Agreement
The method by which a domain name Registrant changes its name as it appears in SRSplus records. Specifically, the Registrant Name Change Agreement must be used if the Registrant wishes to:
1. Correct a typographical or other minor error in the Registrant's name;
2. Add or correct the Registrant's organizational identifier; or
3. Reflect a change to the Registrant's legal name change; or
4. Transfer the domain name registration to another party.
To make these types of changes, complete the Registrant Name Change Agreement.
Registration
The process through which individuals and organizations obtain a domain name. Registration of a domain name enables the individual or organization to use that particular domain name for a specified period of time, provided certain conditions are met and payment for services is made.
Renewal
The process of reinitiating a domain name's registration for a specified period of time and paying the renewal fee.
Resolve
The term used to describe the process by which domain names are matched with corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) numbers, making the web site accessible on the Internet. "Resolution" is accomplished by a combination of computers and software, referred to as name servers, which use the data in the Domain Name System to determine which IP numbers correspond to a particular domain name.
Script
A script is a type of program that consists of a set of instructions for another application or utility to use.
Signature
An electronic signature used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message. Also used to ensure that the original content of the message is unchanged.
Second Level Domain (SLD)
The next highest level of hierarchy underneath the Top Level Domain (TLD). The portion of the domain name that comes before the "." Identifies the specific and unique administrative owner associated with an Internet Protocol address (IP address).
Shared Registry System (SRS)
A domain name registration where multiple accredited domain name registrars are licensed to submit registrations into the single shared root server database.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A commonly used protocol for managing the security of a message transmission on the Internet.
SSL Certificate
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is the standard security technology for creating an encrypted link between a Web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the Web server and browser remains private and secure. Your site visitors will know they have created an SSL link with your Web server when they see the "https://" at the beginning of the URL as well as the padlock icon in the lower right-hand frame in their Web browser.
Subdomains/Directory Pointers
The partitioning of a domain name, usually a 3rd level domain name. It allows for specialization of domains. For example, mail.domain.com would be where domain.com's mail users would check their mail.
Technical Contact
The contact that has the authority to update name server information but not the authority to transfer ownership or administrative rights.
Technical Contact
The Technical Contact is the person or organization who maintains the primary domain name server. The Technical Contact should be able to answer technical questions about the domain name's primary name server and work with technically-oriented people to solve technical problems that affect the domain name.
Third Level Domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the next highest level of the hierarchy underneath the second level domains. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears two segments to the left of the top-level domain. For example, the reston in reston.va.us. Third level domains are not the portion of an e-mail address that appears in front of the @ symbol - for example, the webmaster in webmaster@networksolutions.com is not a third level domain.
Top-level Domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the highest level of the hierarchy after the root. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears furthest to the right. For example, the "com" in networksolutions.com.
Transfer
The process of changing the party who is listed as the domain name Registrant. The party taking over the domain name is responsible for paying a new registration fee. Domain name transfers are processed using the Registrant Name Change Agreement.
Transfer (Domain Names)
The term transfer is often defined differently by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), registrars, and customers. The most frequent types of transfers are: 1) Transferring your domain name registration to SRSplus. 2) Transferring your SRSplus registered domain name to another provider. 3) The process of transferring the domain name from one Registrant to another Registrant – also known as a Registrant Name Change Agreement.
Top Level Domain (TLD)
The highest level of the hierarchy in the Domain Name System. The portion of the domain name that comes after the dot "." (.com, .net, .tv)
Universal Resource Locator (URL)
Abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator, the global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.
WHOIS
WHOIS is a directory of domain name information. When you register a domain name, your postal address, e-mail address and phone number are automatically published in the public WHOIS database. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit body responsible for accrediting domain name registrars, requires that this personal information be accurate and available for anybody to view on the Internet.
World Wide Web (WWW)
Think of the Web as a worldwide collection of text and multimedia files and other network services interconnected via a system of hypertext documents. Http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) was created as a means for sharing data internationally, instantly, and inexpensively. With hypertext, a word or phrase can contain a link to other text. To achieve this, CERN developed a programming language called HTML, which allows you to easily link to other pages or network services on the Web.
Zone
A portion of the total domain name space that is represented by the data stored on a particular name server. The name server has authority over the zone - or the particular portion of the Domain Name Space - described by that data.
See also: Name Server
Zone File
A file that contains data describing a portion of the Domain Name Space. Zone files contain the information needed to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers.
See also: Resolve
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