Domain Name/zh
域名是网址（URL）的一部分，可以被输入到浏览器中从而找到一个特定的网站。当一台计算机与互联网相连时，它就会获得一个唯一的IP 地址；由于IP地址不容易被人记住，因而产生了用以将IP地址和域名相关联的DNS或域名系统。[1]
ICANN是监管域名系统的管理机构。
ICANN is the ruling body that monitors the domain naming system.
Overview
Any domain name will abide by rules and procedures of the DNS. Domain names are used in various ways, networking contexts and addressing purposes. Depending on the type of domain one chooses to register, there are various features offered, such as: free email services, transfer and renewals, domain name options, DNS services and other such features. The individual host computers over the Internet use domain names in order to identify the host or hostnames. In this way, the hostnames are considered as a component of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) for Internet resources like websites. However, the domain names are also used to simply identify labels to determine the ownership or maintain control over the resource.
How is a Domain Name Organized?
Basically, a domain names consists of an alphanumeric string which is divided into sections, with the most important sections separated by periods. For instance, if we take "icannwiki.com" the most important sections of this domain name are::
- The highest level of thedomain name, known as the Top-Level Domain is found at the far right; in this case it is the ".com" string.
- The TLD could have subdivisions, but in this case the information immediate to the left is the Second-Level Domain, represented by "icannwiki".[2]
A domain name is organized from right to left, with the specific descriptions in the left part of the domain name while the general descriptors are in the right part. The machine name (WWW) is positioned at the far left. Dots are used in order to separate the domain levels.
Types of Domain Names
These domain name extensions began to appear in the 1980's, and now include: .com, .net, .mobi, etc. Anyone can register a domain name under this extension but these domains have restricted use.
There are generic top-level extensions at a national level, which based on a code depending on the country, such as: France -.fr, Romania-.ro, United Kingdom-.uk, etc. National entities are responsible with the administration of these specific country codes.
There are cases when top-level domain names may receive sponsorship from institutions and various organizations. The difference between generic top-level domain names and sponsored domain names consists of a charter that defines the domain purpose such as: .gov (US government), .edu (US educational organizations),etc.[3]
Domain Name vs. URL
A domain name is not a URL. The domain name is only a component of the URL, as the URL provides more information related to the address, protocol language, and other such issues. [4]