What is a domain name?
A. A domain name (such as Hostingchecker.com) is the text name corresponding to the numeric IP address of a computer on the Internet. A domain name must be unique. They correspond to a series of numbers called Internet Protocol numbers (IP numbers) that help serve as routing addresses on the Internet. Domain names are used generally as a convenient way of locating information and reaching others on the Internet.

What is a A top-level domain (TLD)?
A. A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of an Internet domain name. For example, in the domain name hostingchecker.com, the top-level domain is com(or COM, as domain names are not case-sensitive).

What is Domain Parking?
A. Domain parking simply means a Domain Name holder has not identified or does not know the IP addresses of the servers that will host his or her web site and wishes to reserve the name for later use.

What is a Domain Name Servers or DNS?
A. Name servers are the Internet's equivalent to a phone book. A name server maintains a directory of domain names and matching IP addresses. When your domain is set up, information about your domain name is added to the name servers. It usually takes about 48 hours before name servers on other networks will be able to access the information after the Central Registry gets it. This 48-hour period is referred to as propagation.

What are Primary and Secondary DNS?
A. This refers to the name server computers where the record of your domain name is held. This is needed to register a domain name.

What are valid characters for a domain name and how long can it be?
A. Valid characters include letters, numbers, and hyphens. A hyphen may not begin or end a domain name. Spaces and special characters are not permitted in a domain name.
For example:
Domain.com (valid)
Do-main.com (valid)
-Domain.com (not valid)
doma&%n.com (not valid)

What is the WHOIS Database?
A. Whois is the term referring to who any given domain name belongs. A WHOIS search tells you who a given name belongs to and their contact information.Currently WHOIS search capabilities are available with us.

How to conduct a WHOIS search?
A. You can go to http://www.whois-search.com, type in a domain name and the domain information will show up.

Will my name and contact information be publicly available?
A. By default, your contact information will be available publicly when someone do a whois search. However, you can subscribe to a whois guard service which allows you to hide your information.

What do .COM .NET and .ORG domain names signify?
A. Anyone may purchase a domain name in the .com, .net, and .org extensions. They are generic Top Level Domains (gTLD's) which are open to public registration. The best way to brand your on-line identity is to purchase a domain name in all three; .com, .net and .org.
All domains are available for registration by internet users across the globe.

What is Redemption period?
A. A period of time after domain registration has expired where the previous owner can bring the registration current by paying applicable fees to the registrar. There is a min. redemption period, but some registrars differ.

A name that is in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status will not be included in the zone file. A registrar can not modify or purge a name in REDEMPTIONPERIOD status. The only action a registrar can take on a name in  REDEMPTIONPERIOD is to request that it be restored.

Someone else has registered my company's name as a .Com domain name. What is the process for resolving my complaint?
A. Conduct a Whois Domain name search and obtain the information about the current registrant. All ICANN-accredited Registrars follow a uniform dispute resolution policy. Under that policy, disputes over entitlement to a domain-name registration are ordinarily resolved by an expedited administrative procedure (called arbitration) to allow the dispute to be resolved without the cost and delays often encountered in court litigation.

In these cases, you can invoke the administrative procedure by filing a complaint with one of the dispute-resolution service providers listed at http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrp.htm