The Domain Name System (DNS) is the system which allows the use of a textual name such as "www.MyCompany.Com" to designate a website on the Internet. In this respect, the DNS system functions like a master "phone book" for finding resources on the Internet. Just as someone uses a phone book to find your phone number, computers use DNS to find a web site or where to send an e-mail.

When someone registers a domain name, they become the registrant (owner) of the domain name and will maintain ownership as long as they pay the annual registration fee. Once a domain name has been registered, it has to be placed into the DNS in order to function. The service of maintaining a domain name in the DNS is called "DNS Hosting" and is a requirement for using a domain name.

It's possible to register a domain name without ever placing it in the DNS. This is often done when someone wants to reserver a domain name for future use. In this case, the domain name can't be used for e-mail and no website will be viewable.

DNS hosting is normally transparent to the registrant (owner) because it is almost always included in webhosting or e-mail hosting packages. It's only in special circumstances that DNS hosting will be required as a special service.

Additional Information on Domain Names

• Why do we need them?
• How does my computer use a domain name?
• How do they work?
• How much do they cost?