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DOMAIN: What is Domain ? How it Works?

When referring to an Internet  address or name, a domain or domain name is the location of a website. 

For example, the domain name "google.com" points to the IP address "216.58.216.164". Generally, it's easier to remember a name rather than a long string of numbers.

A domain name can be a maximum of sixty three characters with one character minimum, and is entered after the protocol in the URL.

For Example: https: // www.  acubeapps.com

            Protocol           Subdomain    domain and domain suffix

What was the first domain?

The first Internet domain name "symbolics.com" was registered by Symbolics, a Massachusetts computer company on March 15, 1985.

When deciding on a domain name, it’s a good idea to keep it simple, something that is easy to remember. To register or look up a domain name, we recommend visiting GoDaddy or Network solutions; both companies are domain name registrars.

PARTS OF DOMAIN:

There are three parts to a domain name: 

• a Subdomain, 
• a Second-Level Domain, and 
• a Top-Level Domain

   Example: www. acubeapps. com

                 Sub        Second-Level     Top-Level

              domain            domain             domain

Subdomain: A subdomain is related to the main or root domain and is the portion to the left of your Second-Level Domain. Sometimes you will see subdomains referred to as “third-level domains.” Subdomains are often used:

• When companies pursue entirely separate mobile websites.
• When a company operates a platform that their user base builds off of.
• To allow for differentiation in design or branding.

Second-Level Domain: It is the domain below the Top-Level Domain and is located the left of the extension you use. When you’re browsing for a domain name, you’re naming the Second-Level Domain to pair with a Top-Level Domain. While Top-Level Domains are restricted to a finite number of options, Second-Level Domains are near endless in selection. Your Second-Level Domain is a great space for your brand name, product name, or your own name!

Top-Level Domain: It is a term you may have come across before when in the midst of your search for the perfect domain name. TLD is a fancy term for your domain name’s extension, which are the letters to the right of your Second-Level Domain. The .COM portion of your entire URL is your Top-Level Domain, which is shortened to TLD for ease. When we refer to TLDs, we are talking about the extension only.

PURPOSE OF A DOMAIN:

If you have a website, it needs to have an address, and that address needs to have a name.

Also, registering a domain reserves it so no one else can register it. So it might be smart to snatch up a domain—your personal name, company name, or other things you're involved with, like a book title, band name, or hobby—just to take it "off the market".

How Domain Names Actually Work?

When you enter a domain name in your web browser, it first sends a request to a global network of servers that form the Domain Name System (DNS).

These servers then look up for the name servers associated with the domain and forward the request to those name servers.

For example, if your website is hosted on xyz, then its name server information will be like this:

ns1.xyz.com
ns2.xyz.com

These name servers are computers managed by your hosting company. Your hosting company will forward your request to the computer where your website is stored.

This computer is called a web server. It has special software installed. The web server now fetches the web page and pieces of information associated with it.

Finally, it then sends this data back to the browser.