DOMAIN INFORMATION
Learn everything about domain names right here:
What is a domain?
A domain is a place or a neighbourhood on the Internet, like myaccess.ca, wikipedia.org or msn.com.
Domain names are kind of like a prospector’s mining claims; if you have registered a domain name, you have the right to develop services at that location. However, that's all that a domain is — just the right to use it. Developing the actual services (such as a web server) is completely different story.
Because it's like a neighbourhood, domain names are not individual computers. The name of the computer is prefixed to the domain name, and is known as the host or host name. An example of a host name is www, and the full address to that server would be the host name prefixed to the domain name, such as www.myaccess.ca.
There's nothing that requires your web server host name to be called www, you could call it webserver if you wished. The host name www is simply a common name for web serving hosts.
What do I need to do to have my own domain name?
To use your own domain name, you have to register the name you want with the relevant authority.
Once your domain name is registered, you need to arrange for DNS hosting. This is what translates the name into an IP address (i.e.,204.83.142.80). InterNIC and CDNnet both require you to have two DNS hosts for your domain name, to ensure that DNS will be available even if one server is down.
For domain names ending in .com, .org, .net, or .edu please see ICANN's list of approved registrars for more details (www.icann.org). For domains ending in .ca, .sk.ca, or regina.sk.ca, visit www.cdnnet.ca for more details. There will be a charge associated with registering your domain name with the domain name authority.
Access Communications is not involved in the domain registration process; but, if you wish to have us host your domain name record on our server you will need to supply the following information:
1. Primary DNS server name: dns1.accesscomm.ca IP address: 65.87.230.4
2. Secondary DNS server name: dns2.accesscomm.ca
IP address: 65.87.230.5
Please note that there is a fee associated with having Access Communications host your DNS record. It's explained in the Access Communications DNS hosting section.
How do I register a domain name?
For a domain name ending in .com, .org, .net, or .edu please see ICANN's list of approved registrars for more details. For domains ending in .ca, .sk.ca, or regina.sk.ca, please see www.cdnnet.ca for more details. Please note that there will be a charge associated with registering your domain name with the domain name authority. Access Communications is not involved in the domain registration process. If you wish to have us host your domain name record on our server you will need to supply the following information:
Primary DNS server name: dns1.accesscomm.ca IP address: 65.87.230.4
Secondary DNS server name: dns2.accesscomm.ca
IP address: 65.87.230.5
Please note that there is a fee associated with having Access Communications host your DNS record, explained in the Access Communications DNS hosting section.
Access Communications DNS Hosting
Once you have your domain name registered, you need to find two DNS servers to host your DNS records. Access Communications can host the DNS records for your domain. The charge is a one-time charge of $50 (we can process several changes at once).
We have a standard way of setting up DNS records, but if you're a DNS expert and want custom records set up a specific way, we can use your details as long as you forward a functional complete DNS record.
To set up or make changes to your DNS record(s), please call our Help Desk at 565-5357 in Regina or 1-877-469-0418 province-wide. A one-time charge of $50 applies per setup or change request.
Access Communications Virtual Domain Web Hosting
With a virtual server, we configure our web server to respond to requests for your domain name. Just like a regular user web space, you FTP in to your virtual server to set up your website.
Access Communications Virtual Domain Email Hosting
With a virtual server, we configure our dedicated virtual email server to respond to requests for your domain name. It's $29.95 per month or both email and web hosting for $39.95.
Administer your Virtual Email Domain
Access Communications HighSpeed Cable Modem Service
If you have a cable modem and have already registered your desired domain name, you can run your own DNS and/or web server on your very own computer. If you are running only a web server and not a DNS server, an important step is to arrange with someone else to host your DNS record. This is what directs, or resolves, a fully qualified domain name to the IP address of your computer.
This method of web hosting costs nothing, beyond being a WAVE cable modem subscriber, but requires you to run your own web server and possibly DNS server. Note that if you do not run a DNS server, that there may be a fee associated with someone else hosting your DNS, depending on where you get it hosted.
Access Communications cannot provide support for your web or DNS server if you choose to run your own. Please also be aware of the WAVE contractual obligations relating to reselling of bandwidth and appropriate use of the WAVE.