Domainnamen

DomainNamen are human-readable identifiers used to locate resources on the Internet. They are resolved to numeric IP addresses by the Domain Name System (DNS), allowing users to connect to websites, mail servers, and other services without needing to remember numbers.

A domain name typically has multiple levels: a top-level domain (TLD) such as .com, .org, or country-code TLDs like .de, a second-level domain, and optional subdomains. The DNS is a hierarchical, distributed database with root servers at the top; each level delegates authority to registries and registrars responsible for specific TLDs.

Registration and management: Individuals and organizations register domain names through registrars, which operate under contract with registries. Names can be renewed, transferred, or suspended for policy or payment reasons. If not renewed, a domain can expire and become available to others. Domain ownership includes control over DNS records that define mail servers (MX), web hosts (A/AAAA), aliases (CNAME), and other services (TXT).

Security and privacy: DNSSEC adds cryptographic protection to DNS responses. Privacy concerns arise from public WHOIS data in older systems; many registries now restrict exposure of contact details under privacy laws. Disputes over domain ownership or branding are handled through policies such as the UDRP or national dispute processes.

Internationalization and governance: Internationalized domain names enable non-Latin characters via IDN encoding. The domain namespace continues to evolve with new gTLDs and policies. Responsible management involves balancing consumer access, trademark rights, and competition among registries, registrars, and hosting providers.