Hostname Vs Domain Name: What’s The Difference?

Hostname vs Domain Name: while these terms are related, they play separate roles in internet addressing and can often be confused as both are translated into IP addresses. This blog explains a domain name, how it differs from a hostname, and their roles in internet addressing. We’ll cover the importance of choosing the correct domain and the Domain Registration process. Also, discuss how domains are structured, and how your decision can help your online business’s visibility.

What are Domain Names?

Domain Names or URLs are human-readable addresses used to identify and locate websites on the internet. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates them into IP addresses that computers use to communicate, allowing users to access your site without remembering strings of numbers.

They consist of two (or more) parts, separated by dots. These include the Top-Level Domain (TLD) – the suffix, such as .com – and the Second Level Domain (SLD), usually the name of the site such as “yourwebsite” in yourwebsite.com. You can also have subdomains in a URL; these appear on the left of the SLD for example “blog.yourwebsite.com”.

Additionally, TLDs are separated into categories. Three of the main ones are:

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)

gTLDs, as the name implies, are for general use and are not restricted to a specific location or purpose. They are also the most used and some of the most recognizable, such as .com, .org, and .net.

Recently, new gTLDs that are more niche-specific like .io for tech companies and .ai for AI-based sites and services have become available.

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)

These TLDs represent specific countries or regions. They are used for sites that are based in those areas or have an association with them. Examples include .us for the United States and .uk for the United Kingdom.

They do have some restrictions and regulations when it comes to registration. For example, the business must be based in the country that uses the ccTLD or you may have to provide proof of residence.

Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs)

These specialized domains often have specific eligibility requirements for registration. For example, the .edu TLD is reserved for educational institutions and requires verification. and .gov is restricted to authorized government entities.

What Are Hostnames?

A hostname is a user-friendly name assigned to a device on a network. It acts like a nickname, making it easier to recognize and refer to specific devices within the network. It provides clear labels for devices, which is especially beneficial for users and administrators managing multiple machines as it uses names instead of complex IP addresses

While like domain names, hostnames focus more on simplifying network communication and management. They also make troubleshooting issues and configuring devices easier.

In some network setups, hostnames can be used for internal name resolution, potentially reducing reliance on external DNS servers. Hostnames typically follow specific naming conventions.

They are usually limited to 63 characters, although this can vary depending on the system they are used in. The allowed characters include lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. Some systems let one use uppercase letters.

Hostnames are treated as case-insensitive, as in “YourServer” is the same as “yourserver”. However, it’s best to use lowercase letters for clarity, and consistency.

Additionally, they must start and end with a letter or number, not a hyphen, and should be unique within the local network to avoid conflicts and issues.

Hostname vs Domain Name: Differences Explained

While both play important roles in naming devices and websites, these names function and are structured quite differently. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between a hostname vs domain name:

Hostnames

As we’ve already covered, a hostname identifies a specific device within a local network like “webserver1″. A domain name is the address of a website on the internet.

A hostname usually comprises a single name or a few descriptive words. Resolution (the process of converting a name into an IP address) often happens locally on your device or network through host files (text files that manually map hostnames to IP addresses) or a local DNS server that stores mappings of frequently accessed hostnames.

Hostnames are assigned and managed locally in a network by admins. Their main purpose is for internal networks to communicate and identify devices.

Domain Names

When you choose a domain name, it follows a hierarchical structure with labels separated by dots. Starting from left to right it comprises a subdomain (optional), an SLD, and a TLD indicating its category. Domain name resolution uses the global DNS for resolution.

Your device contacts its configured DNS server. The DNS server checks its cache to see if it already knows the IP address for the domain name. If it does, it provides the IP address to your device.

If the DNS server doesn’t have the answer in its cache, it starts a recursive search by contacting other DNS servers on the internet until it finds the assigned name server for the exact domain name. The name server provides the IP address to the requesting server, which then caches the information and sends it back to your browser.

The browser receives the IP address and users can now connect to the website.

They must be registered through a domain service like Hosted.com and require payment and renewal for you to buy the domain. Their primary purpose is to provide an address for websites to be accessed and viewed online.

How They Work Together

While a hostname vs domain name for your business serves distinct purposes, they can work together in network addressing. Here is how they do this:

Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs)

When a hostname needs to be uniquely identified within the broader internet domain name system, it’s combined with the domain name to create an FQDN. This provides a complete address for a specific device or service, like “mail.example.com“.

Subdomains

Hostnames can also be incorporated as subdomains within a larger domain structure. This allows for further categorization within a website or organization. For example, “server1.ny.company.com” uses “server1” as the hostname within the subdomain “ny” of the main domain “company.com.”

Local to Global Resolution

 When your device tries to connect to a resource by name, it first checks if it’s a local Hostname. If not found locally through host files or a local DNS server, it treats the name as a domain name and initiates a DNS lookup on the internet to resolve it.

Reverse DNS Lookups

While hostnames and domain names typically map names to IP addresses, reverse DNS lookups can also be performed. This allows for translating an IP address back to a hostname (for local identification) or domain name (for public identification).

Network Configuration

Devices can have a hostname for internal network identification and an FQDN for internet accessibility. For instance, a web server might be called “yourwebserver” on the local network but be accessible to the public as “www.yourwebsite.com” on the internet.

Email Systems

Email addresses combine usernames with domain names (as in yourname@yourwebsite.com). However, the email servers also have hostnames within the domain that work comparably to web servers like mail.yourwebsite.com.

Domain Name Registration with Hosted.com

Hosted.com makes registering the right domain for your business quick and easy. Once you’ve decided on the perfect name for your site, enter it along with the TLD in our Domain Search Tool to check its availability. You can also use our AI Domain Name Generator and search online tool, which is far more comprehensive and can assist you to find the perfect domain name for your business.

Once you’ve confirmed your choice, add it to your cart and click “Next” to proceed. Choose the registration period (1-10 years) and head to checkout.

If you’re a new customer, create a new account with Hosted.com. Existing customers merely log in. For a new account, enter your contact information, including your name, email address, and phone number.

Choose your preferred payment method and complete the secure payment process. You will receive an email from us to verify and finalize your ownership. Once your domain is successfully registered, you can manage it easily through our secure Customer Portal.

Hosted.com goes beyond just domain registration. We offer an all-in-one solution, including cPanel and WordPress Hosting to simplify building and managing your website under one umbrella.

Managing Your Domain Name

Managing your domain ensures your continued ownership and that your customers can find and access your site.

Domain names must be renewed annually to maintain ownership and keep your site accessible. Not renewing can result in site downtime and possibly losing the domain name.

Hosted.com offers to set a longer period, up to 10 years as well as auto-renewal and reminders that your expiration date is coming up, so you never lose your domain.

You can also opt for domain name privacy, or ‘WHOIS protection’. WHOIS is a public database that stores information about a domain registrant – the person or business who registered the domain. This usually includes their name, address, phone number, email, and other relevant information like the name server, and the provider who handled the registration.

This optional service hides your personal information from public WHOIS database lookups. When someone performs a WHOIS lookup on your Domain, the provider’s information is displayed instead of yours. It reduces spam, protects against identity theft, and maintains privacy.

DNS Management

Your domain name’s DNS System Records act like instructions that tell the internet how to find your website and other functions associated with your domain. By configuring these records, you can control settings like:

• Record Types: Dictate how requests are handled. For example, A Records maps your domain name to your site’s corresponding IP address. CNAME Records create aliases, pointing one domain or subdomain to another, and MX Records direct emails to the correct server.
• Name Servers: They specify which DNS servers are responsible for managing your domain’s DNS Records.
• Time to Live (TTL): Control how long other DNS servers cache your DNS information before refreshing it with any updates you make.
• Subdomains: Create subdomains like blog.yourwebsite.com for different website sections or specific services.
• Email Routing: Configure MX records to direct emails sent to your domain to the correct server.
• Security: Implement DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) for added protection against DNS spoofing attacks that could redirect users to malicious websites.
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Adjust DNS settings to work with CDNs, which can improve website loading times by delivering content from geographically distributed servers.
• Monitoring: Regularly checking your DNS configuration ensures everything functions correctly and is secure.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Domain Names are human-readable addresses translated into IP addresses to identify and access websites.
• Hostnames are unique identifiers for devices on a network; they play a crucial role in local network communication and management.
• Hostnames and domain names are related in network identification, but they serve different purposes and operate at varying levels of the network hierarchy.
• Hostnames and domain names combine to create a layered addressing system for identifying devices in a local network and on the internet.
• Registering a domain name with Hosted.com is an easy process that involves choosing your domain, checking availability, making payment, and verifying your ownership.
• Proper domain management ensures continued ownership, protects your privacy, and allows for flexible control over your online presence.

FAQs

Other Related Blogs:

– The Strategic Value of a .us Domain for U.S. Businesses

– What is a .to Domain?

– What is a .to Domain?

– Is .net Reliable? Pros and Cons of the .net Domain

– Is .net Reliable? Pros and Cons of the .net Domain