A domain, a domain name and a site are one entity, but in different aspects. Domain - refers more to the technical side - it is an object that is somehow connected with the domain name and site. A domain name is something more than a domain; it carries a social moment and the name of a domain zone.
A site is a web resource, a certain information object on the Internet that can be "discovered" through a browser or other software product that accepts HTML, CSS, XML languages, allows the execution of JavaScript code, "knows" information transfer protocols, etc.
Common network concept, browser and server
Outside the browser or similar software product, it is not possible to navigate sites and work with them, but it’s possible to use the Internet and work with domains - this is the technical side of the process.
The domain structure of the network is built through a socially-oriented system of registrars (international, public, state and commercial organizations, generally accepted standards, agreements and established procedures) and a server system serving lists of domain names of various domain zones.
Any access to a domain name is carried out through the provider and is transmitted to the nearest list of domain zones. It determines which zone the domain belongs to, which IP address is assigned to it, and the server at this address determines the actual availability of the web resource.
Accessing a domain name is the same as accessing the server’s IP address, but the domain name allows this server to determine exactly which web resource was requested. Each web server can serve thousands of domain names and it doesn’t matter if it is connected to a shared network or not.
The Internet is a collection of public servers. Any company can establish its own Internet in its own computer network. As a general rule, a company’s own network is its personal sphere of information interests and their implementation. The Internet is a generally accessible international environment for the use of web resources for various purposes.
Domain Transfer Options
Usually, the first word that goes to the point before the name of the domain zone is considered a domain. Subdomains - the second word that goes to the point before the domain name - do not count, although they are absolutely equivalent to ordinary domains. For the transfer of the domain, this fact does not matter.
Physical domain transfer is a simple change of IP address of the server (hosting). It is enough to replace the link to the hosting, and the domain has “moved”. In fact, the unique identification of a domain name with a specific IP address simply changed.
Each site is repeatedly present in the lists of domain names of many servers. This information is constantly updated. Changing the unique identification of a domain name to a specific IP address can take from a minute to two days. Usually, changing the link to the hosting server gives a reaction after 10-15 minutes, but there may be delays.
It is best to move the site (server code) to this hosting before changing the link to the hosting server. In the case when the site is built on WordPress, the transfer of the domain is associated with the transfer of the database.
Sites created from scratch or without a database, or creating the necessary environment on the server and their own database for themselves, can be transferred by simply moving the installation file, a set of scripts, a zip archive, ... - as intended by the developer.
Domain content: technical point
Sites can be built on the basis of a site management system (CMS), and then the transfer is declared in the manual of this CMS. A site made by a team of developers “from scratch” can be transferred in one file and deployed independently on a hosting.
As a general rule, a set of files and the folder structure (file system) of a site allows for normal 1: 1 copying. In some cases, you need to make a copy of the database and deploy it to the destination.
From the point of view of security, the prevailing technical implementation of the web resource:
- folder and file structure - to the root of the hosting;
- The database in the database management system on the hosting is not the best, but it works, it is simple, reliable, and it works flawlessly under the protection of the web server.
The existing technical component does not allow attackers to damage the web resource when it moves from hosting to hosting. An attack on a site, a deliberate illegal action or other negative influence is formed through a web server, through a used CMS or in another way.
Everyone knows that the code of PHP, Perl, Python, etc., is open (even if it is somehow encoded). Page text (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is plain text. Everyone relies on their own web server protection and self-developed security rules.
Domain in the context of domain zones and public policy
The domain name used MyFutereDomain.com may be used in a different registration zone. Different registrars set different requirements for domain name owners. Often the placement of sites is influenced by state policy. The choice of registration area may be limited by the location of the owner or site. But in any case, there are always plenty of options.
Writing letters to the host about domain transfer is the host's initiative, and it never has anything to do with the plans of the owner of the web resource.
The Internet has developed as a free element of relations, and attempts to influence it by state methods are doomed to failure. However, one cannot but take into account the possibility of blocking a resource in a particular registration zone, by one or another international or state eligible entity.
Transfer to another domain can mean a change in the domain name, and not just the zone name. Some domain owners consider it reasonable to create domains of the same name in different zones or to write domain names with errors that a visitor might allow when typing a name.
An example of an idea for changing a name or zone
The owner of the search-info.com domain name can register search.info or searchinfo.com, and he will find this idea really practical.
How time is right, time will tell, but such famous names as google, yahoo, altavista and many other famous domains made their names in their own way. They did not count on the mistakes of visitors, on the requirements of registrars, international organizations or government bodies of certain countries.
By and large, a site is an idea designed in a certain way in the sense of design and functionality. This is only indirectly related to the name.
However, it is better to name the site, for example, the Russian post office by its meaning, rather than invent something original from the sphere of oil refining or transportation of goods through air carriers.
Domain name and social moment
A web resource is an informational image of a company or an individual, although in practice it is more reminiscent of the current view of the owner about the format for presenting information and the required functionality through the prism of skills and knowledge, the development team and the adopted CMS.
In any case, a web resource is a finished product with its unique face and functionality. It does not matter what it is called, although the name always matters. Practice shows that transferring a domain to hosting, associated with a change in the name of the site or domain zone, can be painlessly performed by a banal redirect from an old hosting.
The site remains on the existing hosting (temporarily), but the index file or redirect via .htaccess sends the visitor to the new address. In a month or two, all visitors will already know the new name of the web resource. But, most likely, they will simply remember the link in the browser bookmarks and will not particularly pay attention to its content.
A visitor comes to the site in order to achieve their own goals or solve problems that are relevant to him. The name of the resource is not as significant for it as for the site owner. A visitor needs a site, not his name. Of course, if microsoft.com wants to become apple.com - not only Apple, but also hundreds of thousands of Internet users will be surprised, they will discuss what happened for a couple of days. For the remaining millions of windows users, this will go unnoticed.
Hosting participation in site migration
Not all site owners use professional developers. On the Internet there are many sites provided by social networks, hosters, providers or commercial companies specializing in working with non-professional content owners.
A rare hoster is interested in losing a client, and transferring a domain to another hosting is not a very desirable operation for him. But the balance of interests between the host and the site owner can make this operation justified. For example, the hoster categorically forbids creating a database, folders or files on the hosting, and does not allow the execution of scripts. The client needs these operations. The client has the right to change the hosting of his resource to the one where there is the necessary functionality.
Another example. Hosting from reg for domain transfer formulated not only the regulatory framework, but also created the functionality for transfer. The care of the domain name is thought out ahead by five steps in the development of the ideas of the site owner. There are options for expanding, leaving, or changing the conditions for providing any kind of hosting. It's nice when the hoster or registrar goes towards the owner of the site, and domain transfer does not cause problems. But it’s even better when the site owner has the right to make decisions independently.
Own hosting for your own idea
It would be strange if the company did not care about its office and its face. It would be strange if a person did not attach importance to his housing or workplace.
A hosting site is a company in an office or a person at home. Why not think about a safe and reliable hosting of your own and transfer a domain to the most convenient and secure place.
Own hosting is expensive and requires knowledge. But this is better than supplementing your own conditions and requirements with the opinion and participation of a third-party hoster. Registering a domain name is one thing, hosting and transferring a domain is another.
Ideally, a professionally created web resource is hosted on two or three sites, one of which belongs to the owner of the site and is in its full charge. All sites can be configured for mutual exchange of relevant information. This option will not require you to transfer the domain from time to time, but will create ideal conditions for its existence on the Internet.