| Getting started online means the time of confusing | | | | These servers tell the internet where your domain |
| initials tossed about with little explanation. While you | | | | name actually is. |
| may have domain names, registration, web hosting, | | | | Did you know you have a record? |
| the talk of IP Addresses and DNS sounds like | | | | When you transfer your DNS, you transfer several |
| something you should study elsewhere. These are | | | | pieces of information, called a "DNS record" which |
| actually things that help your website be found online. | | | | includes Your domain name, your "A" record, your |
| What is DNS? | | | | "MX" record, and some other pieces of information. |
| This is your Domain Name Server, thus DNS. It is | | | | What is "A" record? |
| where your Domain Name "lives" and it translates | | | | This is the what tells the internet which DNS is |
| your Domain Name into an IP Address. | | | | actually yours. It is sort of like having the address |
| What is an IP Address? | | | | number outside your home door. It says which |
| This is actually a series of numbers broken up by | | | | server is the "Authority" of your domain name. |
| periods as 191.68.121.42 or other such number. While | | | | What about the "MX" Record? |
| you and I read our computers read those numbers. | | | | This is the mail server that accepts mail for your |
| That is the address of your website. | | | | domain. You want your mail to go with your domain |
| Back to your Domain Name Server. | | | | name and this record helps keep the two together. |
| If you bought your domain name from a domain | | | | What happens after I change the DNS? |
| name registrar and you were probably told by your | | | | After you change your DNS you must wait for |
| web host to transfer your DNS to the Web host | | | | propagation. This may take up to 72 hours for all the |
| DNS. What you are doing is changing the lookup | | | | servers around the world to realize that your domain |
| information for your domain. The lookup information | | | | name is no longer at the old DNS but is now at the |
| is where the internet looks up your website. | | | | new DNS. It will probably take less time. |
| What does lookup information mean? | | | | Do I need to know all this? |
| Here is a translation involving your address. Your | | | | No, all you need to know is what is the DNS of your |
| domain name is changing the physical address. It still | | | | web host. Then change the DNS at your domain |
| has a mailing address over at the domain name | | | | name registrar to the DNS of your web host. This will |
| registrar but if you want to visit the domain you | | | | connect your domain name to the IP address of |
| have to go to the physical address. | | | | your website, which means people can type in your |
| While the website does not have an actual physical | | | | domain name and get to your website. While you |
| address, the DNS tells the internet where to look up | | | | may not understand all of this process you at least |
| your website. When you got the email from your | | | | have a basic understanding of why you must change |
| web host you received at least two DNS servers. | | | | your DNS. |