Dynamic DNS Services

Selecting a domain name hosting service, or registry, can be a daunting task simply because there are so many available vendors competing for the business of new customers. The internet's Domain Name System (DNS) is managed by a non-profit organization known as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The authority for overseeing and coordinating the internet DNS has been given to ICANN by the United States government. A website's hosting computer or server is a unique string of numbers separated by periods known as the IP (internet protocol) address or URL. Such strings are impossible to memorize so website owners, through the DNS, select a name that acts as their website's address. That name is then associated with an IP through the selected registry. Internet users are able to access the correct website by entering the name, instead of the IP address, in the browser's address box. In the earlier days of the internet, computers and servers were assigned IP addresses. However, with the proliferation, not only of computers, but also other internet devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), a shortage of IP addresses occurred. Though many devices with assigned IP addresses, known in the industry as static IPs, continue to exist, the solution for the shortage is the use of what are known as dynamic IPs. Along with this solution, dynamic dns services have proliferated and consumers can find numerous such companies on the internet.

Many individuals register with a domain name hosting service so that they can have a personal website. Perhaps they want a means for family members, who may live all over the United States, or even somewhere else in the world, to stay in touch with each other. Perhaps the individual is an amateur expert on some particular topic and wants to maintain a website that includes articles, book reviews, photos, and resource information on that subject. Hobbyists and collectors often enjoy sharing their enthusiasm with others. Many clubs and organizations claim a website name for the benefit of members and others with similar interests or concerns. Of course, almost any business owner, no matter how large or small, needs to have an internet presence whether or not she also has a physical retail location. The right name can be vital to increasing one's traffic on the internet. Though many names have already been taken, so the prospective owner will need to be creative in coming up with just the right name for her website. The domain name hosting service will often provide suggestions when the selected one has already been registered with someone else. The Proverbs writer reminds us that: "A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold" (Proverbs 22:1). Most marketers will suggest that the name be easy to remember and easy to spell. No website owner wants visitors to be so frustrated because of odd spellings or other type of weird combinations that they give up finding the site.

With so many people jumping on the internet bandwagon, which only continues to grow, it's easy to see how a shortage of internet protocol addresses came about. Those in charge of allocating the assigned IPs in the internet's early days were in uncharted waters, so to speak. The number of available IPs seemed more than bountiful at the time. Because of this, according to some industry experts, the allocations to certain entities were overly generous. In hindsight, of course, this is much more evident than it was at the time. The designers of dynamic dns services help address the awkward consequences of these earlier decisions. Instead of static IPs, the newer dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) provides a way for IPs to be assigned by host computers as they are needed. As a simple example, most households receive internet connectivity through either a local phone provider or cable company. Neither one of these internet hosting companies has been given enough IPs for each customer to have a static address (one that never changes) on each internet-capable device that the customer possesses (again, not just the home computer, but such additional items as laptops, PDAs, and cellphones). But since every single customer will not be using every single item at the same time, a static address isn't necessary. The hosting company can assign a customer an address from its pool of IPs as needed. This is accomplished through a network address translation (NAT) router which has software that connects the hosting company's public internet connection with the customer's private network. The vendors of dynamic dns services can provide additional information to consumers about NAT routers.

A domain name hosting service provides invaluable assistance to anyone who wants to register a specific web address and create a website. The DNS registrar will not only register the chosen name, but usually offers additional products and services. These almost always include such features as domain renewal, web hosting and design, email capabilities, and ecommerce components, like a shopping cart and the ability to process credit cards. The monthly or annual fees for these services and features vary widely, so consumers will want to do careful research before choosing a registrar. Those consumers who want to host internet applications on their websites will also want to research vendors who provide dynamic dns services. The consumer should keep in mind that he may be limited from hosting some applications by the terms of agreement entered into with a hosting service such as the local phone or cable company. This website owner will need to consider other options, such as a virtual private server arrangement. The selected domain name hosting service may be able to assist with the owner's requirements by also providing dynamic dns services.


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