Q. What is Domain Name?
Every website on the Internet has a unique numeric web address called an I.P. Address. This might look like 203.194.205.6. Every IP address is mapped to a specific place on the Internet. For example, the IP Address for this web site is http://203.194.205.6 . If you type that into a browser and hit the Go Button, you will end up at this website.

Because humans remember names better than numbers, the people who set up the Internet made a way for us to use easy to use names instead of the actual numeric address. These name-based addresses are known as Domain Names.

Domain names may be purchased from companies known as Registrars. Each registrar keeps a Domain Name Record on file for each name they sell. The domain name record includes important information like who owns the domain name, and where the domain name is hosted.

You can tell where the domain name is hosted by the nameserver information in the domain name record.For example, this domain name, HKDN.COM, lists two nameservers in it's domain name record. NS1.HKES.COM and NS2.HKES.COM.

Nameservers are maintained by each webhosting company for their own servers, and contain information about what I.P. Address a website is located at.

When someone types http://HKDN.COM into their browser, the browser sends a request for nameservers to Internic. Internic responds, telling the browser that the nameserver for HKDN.COM is:

NS1.HKES.COM.

The visitors browser then sends a message to NS1.HKES.COM, asking where HKDN.COM is located. NS1.HKES.COM replies that HKDN.COM is stored at IP Address 203.194.205.6. The visitors browser then sends a message to http://203.194.205.6 asking for a specific webpage.This all happens very quickly, but there's a lot involved every time you access a website.

The important thing to remember, here, is that your webhosting provider will furnish you with nameserver information to give your registrar. Placing this information in your domain name record allows visitors to find your website.
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Q. How do I get my own domain name?
A. In most cases you will want to use your own domain name as the address of your web site. For example, you may want to have a domain name like abc.com so that people can visit your web site at either www.abc.com or abc.com. To be able to use your own domain name you first need to register it. To do that, you need to find an appropriate domain name registrar.

There are many different registrars around the world. Registrars usually register just a few different types of domain names. For example, we register .com, .net and .org domains. Therefore, if you want to register abc.com then we could do that for you. However if you wanted to register, say, a Hong Kong (.hk) domain name then you would need to contact the .hk registrar (HKDNR) instead.

There are many .com/.net/.org domain name registrars around these days. We are able to register .com/.net/.org domain names through our registration service. If you are looking to register a .com, .net or .org domain name then you may be interested in reviewing the details of our Domain Name Offer.

If you want to register a different type of domain name then you will need to find the appropriate registrar and register the domain name yourself.

Please note that different registrars have different requirements, procedures and prices so you will need to review the details of their service to determine whether you are willing and able to register a particular domain name. Before attempting to register any domain name you will also need to check first whether it is available - perhaps somebody else has already registered it. Most registration services provide tools on their sites so that you can check availability easily.

Please note too that domain names are usually leased for a given period and after that period expires you will need to pay renewal fees to your domain name registrar if you would like to continue to use the domain.
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Q. What is a Virtual Domain?
A. A virtual domain allows you to have your own domain name (http://www.yourname.com) without having to install expensive server hardware and software. We allocate space on our servers for your use. Your space can be accessed through the web at http://www.yourname.com and email can be sent to you at you@yourname.com.
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Q. Will you register my .com/.net/.org domain name for me?
A. We have our own domain name registration service which enables us to register .com, .net and .org domains for you. If you are looking to register a .com, .net or .org domain name then you may be interested in reading about our Domain Name Offer. If you would prefer to use a different domain name registrar such as Network Solutions then you are most welcome to do that. Please note though that you would then need to arrange the registration and transfer of your domain name yourself, although we would provide you with the necessary technical information (your name server details) when we send you your account details.
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Q. Can I transfer my existing site to your servers?
A. Certainly. These days domain name transfers are usually quick and easy. After you place your web hosting order we will setup your account promptly so that you can upload your site to our servers via FTP or using our Control Panel. It usually takes a day or two for your domain name to be pointed at your new site on our servers. If you are using FTP or our Control Panel to upload your site, you can upload your site to our servers before your domain name is transferred, so that when the domain name transfer does take effect then your visitors will be seamlessly directed to your new site. That way there will be no downtime for your site and the change will be transparent to your visitors. If you are using FrontPage to upload your site then unfortunately you will need to wait until after your domain name transfer takes effect before you can publish your site, so there will be a short downtime involved while you publish your site to our servers.
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Q. Will you transfer my .com/.net/.org domain name for me?
A. If your domain name was registered through a different registrar, or through Network Solutions' InterNIC registration service, then we will provide you with the necessary name server information when we send you your account details, so that you can arrange the transfer of your domain name yourself. Please note that most registrars provide easy online tools for you to transfer your domain, and also provide customer support services in case you experience difficulties. Of course our customer support team will also be happy to provide you with advice to ensure that your domain name is transferred quickly and easily.
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Q. Do you host third-level domain names?
A. Yes, we do. We can set you up so that your site address is http://yourname.hkdn.com. The advantage of this is that you do not have to pay domain name registration fees.
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Q. Can I point more than one domain name at my site?
A. You can point extra domain names at the home page of your existing site on our servers as long as the two domain names relate to identical site content. For example, you may want to point abc.net at abc.com. There is a one-time setup fee for each additional domain name pointed at your site in this manner.
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