Domain names form the backbone of the Web. They connect computers, networks and resources from around the world. When many Internet users hear "domain name," they think of the string that they type in a browser. That string not only retrieves Web pages, but it also represents a systematically constructed series of hierarchical subdomains that simplify navigation and communication on the World Wide Web.
History
The University of Wisconsin invented domain names in 1983. This was at the time that ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet, was running. Domain names made it possible for users to type alphanumeric names into their browsers and retrieve information from remote computers. Today, when you type a domain name into a browser, the browser sends the string to a domain name server that converts it into an IP address. Other servers then send your request to the computer on the Web associated with that IP.
Function
The Internet works by routing packets of data from one computer on the Web to another. When you type a URL in a browser, the browser sends that URL to a Domain Name Server. The Domain Name Server (DNS) is like a phone book. It examines your URL and figures out the IP address of the computer associated with the URL that you entered. Each Internet Service Provider uses a DNS to process all requests issued by its subscribers.
Administration
The "Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" (ICANN) is the ultimate ruling body that oversees and monitors the Internet domain naming system. Independent registrars issue the actual names, but ICANN must accredit registrars before they can perform these duties. A quick Internet search for "domain name" will bring back pages of results. Many of these results point to registrars seeking to sell you a domain name. ICANN authorizes registrars to issue domain names.
Organization
A domain name is an alphanumeric string organized into sections. Consider this example:
music.mysite.com
This domain name consists of three parts separated by periods. Reading from right to left, these parts are com, mysite and music. The .com portion of the string is the highest level of the domain name. This is the "Top Level Domain Name" (TLD). Some Internet users refer to this portion of the name as the extension or suffix. Other extensions include .edu, .gov, .org and .biz. Country related extensions such as .fr (France) and .de (Germany) also exist. To the left of the TLD (.com) is the word "mysite." This defines a subdivision within the TLD. To the left of "mysite" is its subdivision, "music." Together, these subdivisions form the domain name. In this example, this site probably points to the music section of a website thatresides at mysite.com.
Developments
In 2008, ICANN voted to move forward with its plans to offer gTLDs. A gTLD is a generic top-level domain. Under this system, any Internet user could pay $100,000 and generic domain name such as .basketball or .food. These new names would compete with existing .com, .net and .org names. According to ICANN, the new program will begin in 2010.