Domænefnin

Domænefnin, commonly translated as domain name, is the human-readable label that identifies a resource on the Internet, such as a website or an email server. Instead of using numerical IP addresses, users rely on domain names, which are translated into IP addresses by the Domain Name System (DNS). This system makes it easier to locate and connect to services across networks worldwide.

A domain name consists of a series of labels separated by dots, read from right to left. The rightmost label is the top-level domain (TLD), such as .com, .org, or country-code TLDs like .is. To the left is the second-level domain (SLD), which is typically chosen by the registrant (for example in example.com). Subdomains add further labels to the left, such as blog.example.com. Internationalized domain names (IDNs) allow non-Latin scripts by using Punycode.

Registration and management are handled through registrars under the governance of registries for each TLD. A registry maintains the authoritative database of all domain names under its TLD, while registrars act as intermediaries that sell registrations to end users. Global coordination of the DNS is provided by ICANN, with policy development and root-zone coordination often carried out by IANA on ICANN’s behalf.

DNS resolution involves a sequence of lookups: a resolver queries root servers, then the appropriate TLD servers, and finally the domain’s authoritative name servers to obtain the corresponding IP address. DNS records include A/AAAA for addresses, CNAME for aliases, MX for mail servers, and others. DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to improve integrity and authenticity of responses.

Privacy, governance, and lifecycle aspects are important: registries, registrars, and WHOIS databases handle contact information, which privacy laws (such as GDPR) increasingly regulate. Domains can be renewed, transferred, or deleted, and expiration may lead to loss or re-registration.