DOMAIN NAMES AND THE INTERNET
We live in an information rich society. Each of us lives in an electronic town connected by a network of computers to other networks all over the world. We can send information between computers from our homes, schools, and businesses. This global Internet allows us to communicate with others around the world and allows us access to tremendous resources. In order to access this information, however, we have to have a way of locating it.
Internet Protocol
Every computer connected to the Internet is identified by an IP (Internet Protocol) address. An IP address is the numeric address the Internet needs to send e-mail and other data between computers. IP addresses are represented as four numbers joined by periods. Each connected computer receives a unique IP address from the Network Information Center (NIC) so information can be forwarded to the correct computer.
Domain Names
Domain names developed as a method for Internet users to reach desired sites quickly without memorizing IP addresses. Domain names, like IP addresses, must be unique so information can reach the desired computer. If two sites had the domain name, then computers routing the information through the Internet would not know where to send their messages.
A domain name works like an address to a home. If someone needed to send mail to your home, you would give them your street, your city, your state, and your zip code. The post office would then be able to deliver your mail by following this structure. A domain follows a similar structure. A domain name is divided up into 3 sections: in. The user portion is usually the person's account name on the system, although it doesn't have to be. The name of a system or location, and what kind of organization it is is indicated by the somewhere.domain.
The trailing domain is a way of dividing the Internet into understandable groups. It is often one of the following:
.edu(Educational): for schools and universities connected to the Internet, like Yale (yale.edu;
.com (Commercial): for commercial companies that have computers connected to the internet, like America Online (aol.com);
.net(Network): for sites that administer networking typically for the Internet;
.gov (Government): for U.S. government related sites connected to the internet, like the Whitehouse (whitehouse.gov);
.mil (Military): for a military site connected to the internet, like the Air Force (af.mil);
.org (Organizations): for other organizations on the Internet, like the American Heart Association National Center (amhrt.org).
Problems
The domain naming system (See p. 1) allows people to register any name not currently used even if the new name will lead to confusion. Sometimes people or organizations may want the same name or use a misleading name to disguise the nature of their web page.
Network Solutions, Inc.(NSI)is responsible for registering all top level domains, but only in the United States. It shares information with other registration centers, but does not conduct foreign searches for conflicting or confusing names.
Complaints may be lodged with the NSI if a trademark is infringed on, but this is controversial. Many feel that only the courts should have the ability to arbitrate domain names. Mikki Barry, an attorney with Internet Policy Consultants states: “Given the tremendous economic opportunities of the Internet, and given the tremendous reliance that corporations and individuals place on the stability of their registered domain names, the court system and not the registration system should be the only authority for changing a properly registered domain name.”