Domain name and DNS FAQ

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Domain name and DNS FAQ

1. Where can I register a domain name?

Click here to register now your domain!

2. What is domain registration?

Basically, domain registration is limited-time ownership. You register a domain (something.com or something.org etc.) in order to claim ownership of it for a specified length of time, anywhere from 1 to 10 years. The "Registrant" of a domain is the actual legal owner of the domain name until the registration period expires.

3. Is domain name registration included with my Guru-host Hosting account?
No. Because many of our clients already own registered domains when they choose to host their web sites at Guru-host, domain registration (ownership) is not included in the Guru-host Package pricing. This way, our Package pricing is fair both to "other-host refugees" who don't need a domain, and to clients starting a web site from scratch. Having said that there are some packages where domain name registration is included for free.

4. Do I have to have a domain name to get a hosting account at Guru-host?
Yes. We need a domain name to associate with your hosting account in order to set the account up when it comes to shared hosting. If is related with dedicated hosting there is no need to have a domain.

5. How do I register a domain name?
Fill out a form at a valid domain registrar and submit your payment.

6. Can I register my domain name with you?
Yes, just click here and follow the process.

7. What is DNS?
DNS technically stands for "Domain Name System" although it is sometimes used to stand for "Domain Name Server", sometimes just called nameserver.

8. What is a Name Server?
Simply put, the name server is a pointer from your domain at the domain name database to wherever your actual website is (the server). Nameservers are usually referred to by either their ip's (an ip looks like 4 groups of numbers, or a "dotted quad" separated by dots e.g. 62.1.206.199) or by ns1.mydomain.com or ns2.mydomain.com etc.

9. What's a Nameserver got to do with a domain name?
Simplifying here, if you punch in "www.mydomain.com", your browser will look for the domain's location on line. It finds the name server information from the domain database, which tells the browser what server to access. Once the server is found it shows the pages for that domain's account on the server - and bingo yourdomain.com is visible in your browser. So in order for your web site to be visible on line, your domain name has to "point" from the database to our servers -- that means your domain registration account has to have the correct DNS information in it for our servers.

10. How do I find out what a domain's current nameservers are?
In most cases you can go to the domain's registrar and find their "WHO-IS" area. Enter the domain name in the whois search box. Many whois databases will make you enter a letter/digit code before displaying the information; this is to guard against spam email spiders. When the information page is displayed scroll down. Nameserver information is usually shown near the end of the domain's information. If you do not know the domain's registrar, you can usually get whois information, or at least information about who the registrar is, at one of the major registrars.

11. How do I make my domain point to your servers?
If you already own a domain, you must log in at your domain registrar with whatever username/password they gave you when you bought the domain. Find their DNS (or Nameserver) modification area, and set the nameservers to the new ones given in your Guru-host account Welcome info email. It usually takes a couple of days for the new information to get through the domain database & finally start pointing to a new server. This is called DNS resolving or propagating.

12. Isn't there an easier way to modify the DNS?
It may sound a bit intimidating but it isn't usually that difficult with most reputable domain registrars. However if you purchase a new domain through the domain registration link at our main web site, you register the domain in your own name so YOU actually own it, and your DNS however will automatically be set to our servers so you won't have to worry about doing DNS modification yourself. (You will however still have to wait the couple of days for it to resolve, as all new domains do.)

13. Who can modify the DNS or nameserver information?
At most domain registrars, the Registrant, Administrative Contact, and Technical Contact are the only people who have authority to modify anything about any domain including the DNS or nameserver information.

14. Can you do the switch-over or modify the DNS for me?
We can only do the switch-over or DNS modification for you if your domain is registered with us and we are listed as Technical Contact for your domain there.

15. How can I make you my Technical Contact?
If your domain is already registered with us, you can assign us as the Technical Contact for the domain and we will then be able to do the DNS modifications manually for you. If you don't know how to do this please contact us.

16. What if I can't login at the domain registrar to make changes?
Unfortunately there are disreputable and unethical domain registrars out there which don't allow control by the purchaser. If you didn't buy your domain through one of our links and you can't login at your domain registration account to change the nameservers, you need to either contact your domain registrar by whatever means you can, and request they change the DNS information for you; or you need to purchase a new domain of your own at a domain registrar which does give you control over your own domain.

17. Can I choose whatever domain registrar I want to use and still be hosted by your company?
Certainly you can, as long as the registrar you choose gives you login access there and modification access for your domain. If you purchase a new domain of your own somewhere other than through one of our links, simply make sure you pick a reputable domain registrar who actually makes you the owner (Registrant) of the domain you buy, and that you will have access to modify the DNS for your domain. After you get your new domain registered (purchased), set the DNS to our nameserver info as specified in the new account email we sent you.

18. If I purchase my domain from one of the links on your web site, will I be able to login in the future and change my DNS or Technical Contact information to someone else?
Yes. You will have full control over your domain and you will have access to all the tools.

19. Will my web site be visible on line as soon as I sign up for my domain name and hosting account?
No. Although we will set up your hosting account within a few hours at most, it takes approximately 24 to 48 hours for the DNS to resolve to our servers after the DNS information is set at your registrar. We have no control over this.

20. Can I upload files to my web hosting account before the DNS resolves?
Yes, all relevant information will be emailed to you when your account will be created.

21. How do I know when my domain's DNS has resolved?
You will see the blue and gold "Future Home of" web page when you access your site via http://yourdomainname.com in a browser.

22. I live in Liverpool and my friend lives in Athens. I purchased my domain last night and now I can see my blue "Future Home of" page but my friend can't. Why? Isn't the DNS resolved yet?
The DNS resolves in different parts of the world at different times. It should be complete worldwide within about 24 to 48 hours after the DNS is set at the domain registrar. This is why during propagation (the process of resolving), your web site may be visible in some parts of the world and not in others.

23. I already have a hosting account but changed my mind about what domain name I want to use. Can I change the domain name?
Yes. Just contact us and let us know what the new domain name is, and make sure the DNS for the new domain name points to our servers just as for your old domain name.

24. Is there a charge to change my domain name on my hosting account?
No. It only takes a few seconds for us to do this if you request it. Besides, there are never any set-up fees or transfer fees.
If you do not currently own a domain, you'll need one for your web site before you can use your hosting account unless you have a Virtual Private Server or a dedicated.

Posted on: 14/09/2009

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