IP Numbers
Internet traffic is actually routed
to its correct destination through
an addressing system based on a
series of numbers called IP
(internet protocol) addresses. IP
Addresses are a series of numbers
that are typically shown connected
by "dots" (like 123.123.123.123).
Most people using the internet never
see IP numbers... but they are there
behind every request for a web page
and every email delivery.
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An IP address is a
set of 4 numbers
called "octets".
Every machine
connected to the
internet has a
unique IP address.
IP addresses for
home connections are
often assigned by
the service provider
at the time the user
connects (which
means you may have a
different IP address
each time you log
in). How IP
addresses actually
work is more than
most people need to
know and far beyond
the scope of this
document.
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Using domain names instead of IP
numbers
Since IP numbers can be hard to
remember, the Domain Name System
(DNS) allows us to use words that
can more easily identify the person
or organization we are trying to
reach. These "domain names" end in
letters that are called "top level
domains" (tld's) and though you most
often may see ".com" and ".net"
there are actually a large number of
top level domains such as ".jp" for
Japan and ".ca" for Canada. Most
people will only be interested in
the most common of these ending
articles.
Though you may be using domain names
when browsing the internet, behind
the scenes an intricate routing
process determines the correct IP
number and directs you to the
assigned location.
The Domain Name System is not
a single controlling entity but is
more of a structured association of
entities tiered with a controlling
entity at the top (ICANN, The
Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers) that watches to
be sure other entities in the
structure are following the rules.
Do I need a domain name?
The simple answer to that question
is "no, but get one anyway". Having
your own domain name is easy, very
inexpensive, and it provides a
unique and simple way to find your
site. Domain names also help
establish an online image and
internet brand for your site.
Most web hosting companies allow
customers to use the hosting
companies domain name along with
some type of identifier (like "yourcompany.theyhostingcompany.com"
or "www.thehostingcompany.com/yourcompany"),
and though there are good uses for
this like using specific tools and
secure connections provided by the
hosting company, there is no reason
not to have your own domain name.
If you don't yet have a domain name,
you can secure one right now. You
may find that your first choice of
names is already taken by someone
else. If this happens, try another
name that would identify your site.
Remember that the most people are
used to using ".com" domain names
and though dashes ("-") are allowed
in domain names, you will want to be
able to easily tell someone your
domain and have them remember it. If
you wanted to register
"global-guide-line.com"
there is a very good chance that
your customers would skip the dash
and come here (to GGL.com)
instead. The best domain names
are short, descriptive (such as your
company name or product), and easily
memorized.
On a contrary note, you may get
better search engine placement with
a longer, more descriptive domain
name. Domain names are inexpensive
and web hosting companies usually
allow more than one domain to point
to your main web page. Consider both
approaches. You may want to get more
than one domain name. |
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