Domains / DNS / Websites / Hosting

Definitions

Registrar

Domain Name Registrars are the organizations responsible facilitating the leasing of domains from the Internet Domain Registry to a domain registrant.  They allow the registrant to define the which DNS Server is authoritative for the domain. 

Registrars make their money by adding a service fee onto the cost of a Domain Registration with the Internet Domain Registry.  Some registrars charge q

Authoritative Name Server

A name server is a program that converts a domain name into an IP address.  An Authoritative name server is the name server that is considered the definitive source of records for a domain.  The Authoritative Name Server contains the master copy of the Zone Record for the domain from which all other names servers will query.

Zone Record / DNS Records

A zone record is a simple database that defines all the Domain Name System Records for a domain.  Website addresses and mail server addresses are examples of the kinds of information that is stored in a zone record.  These records are served out by the Authoritative Name Server to anyone that requests information for that domain.

DNS Service

A DNS Service is the software that allows a someone to edit/update the DNS Records for a domain's Authoritative Name Server.

Hosting

Hosting means providing a service on a service providers computers.  Common hosting services are Websites, EMail, File Sharing and DNS.

Hosting Provider

A Hosting Provider is a company that offers to host various services on behalf of a customer.  A Hosting Provider often offers a "1 stop" shop for a customer.  They'll register a domain on your behalf, provide an interface to manage your DNS, provide the tools required to provision the services you wish to run - such a website.

How It All Ties Together

If one wishes to have a website, one has to first register a domain.