Subj : Re: general question about serving ports and domain names
To   : comp.programming
From : gds
Date : Thu Aug 18 2005 09:57 pm

chrispatton@gmail.com wrote:
>On all the commercial domain name registrar, they have all these
>advertisements and add-ons to their software. I'm confused. I need to
>sort a few things.

>1. I want to get a domain name for my computer. I don't really want a
>professional webpage; I don't want any add-ons. I just want the
>capability to code my own servers and be able to get to these ports
>from a domain name I choose. Do I need to register with some commercial
>business to get one?

If you want a top-level domain name, you have to use a commercial
registrar, generally speaking.  Otherwise, you may be able to get one
from a noncommercial registrar or even a hobbyist who's willing to
delegate subdomains of their domains to you.

>2. If and when I do register, what goes on? How does a client know that
>the domain name is related to my computer? Is the domain name located
>on the companies' computer, and is redirected to my computer?

<simplified answer>

The domain name you register is mapped to the IP address(es) of your
computer through DNS (the domain name system).

</simplified answer>

For more details, consult the DNS RFCs (available through
www.rfc-editor.org), an O'Reilly DNS reference book, or use your
favorite search engine to get information about DNS.

--gregbo
gds at best dot com

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