What is a Domain Name?
The Basics
Domain names are the alpha numeric text strings to the right of
the “@” in an e-mail address or immediately
following the two slashes in a web address. By convention, the
domain name specifies an Internet protocol (IP) number consisting
of a network address and a host ID on a TCP/IP network.
Because the IP numbers are difficult to remember, alpha numeric
domain names were introduced as a mnemonic. When an individual
types an alpha numeric Uniform Resource Locator (URL) into a web
browser, the host computer translates the domain name into an IP
number. Since IP numbers can be arbitrarily assigned to domain
names, the names can remain constant even when the resources to
which they refer change. This method of accessing the internet is
sometimes called direct navigation in contrast to search navigation
where a search engine is used to obtain access.
