How to Set Up a Network Domain

Microsoft Internet Explorer defines a domain as "a collection of computers on a network that share a common database and security policy. A domain is administered as a unit with common rules and procedures, and each domain has a unique name." Once you have set up your network, you can follow simple steps to launch your network on the Internet. You will need a small amount of money to invest up front for domain-name registration as well as money for Web hosting (unless you choose free hosting). Your steps will include: Obtaining a domain name, registering the name with the Central Registry and letting the registrar know which server should be linked to your domain name.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Set Up Your Domain

1. Choose a desirable name for your domain based on the purpose of your webpages. The top domain registry service in the U.S. is Network Solutions. At the Network Solutions site or the site of another domain registry service, search for available domain names.

2. Acquire the desired domain name (either for free or for a fee) from the present owner of the domain name.

3. Register the domain name with the domain registration service or registrar.

4. If you do not have a Web server, get a free or paid Web-hosting service online. There are thousands of providers from which to choose. The Web-hosting service provides an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the server that will host your Web domain.

5. Inform the registrar that registered your domain name of the new IP address of your server or the host Web server.

6. Now your domain name and server information are registered together. When you type in the Internet address of your network domain into a browser, your computer will communicate with the client server. In turn, the client server will send your webpages over the Internet for your computer to display in the Web browser.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have extra funds, consider acquiring similar domain names (with different endings) and direct all visitors to these domains to the principal website.

Resources

• Network Solutions Domain Name Registration
• Wikipedia List of Top Domain Name Registrars