What is a domain name and how does it work?

Published: 16 Jun, 2023

In the world of the internet, a domain name is a fundamental element that facilitates navigation and identification of websites. But what exactly is a domain name, and how does it work? This article aims to provide a clear and concise explanation.

In the simplest terms, a domain name is your website's address. Just as a physical address helps people locate a house or office, a domain name guides users to your website. For example, in the URL "www.roxnode.com," "roxnode.com" is the domain name.

Every domain name is unique. No two websites can have the same domain name, which ensures that internet users land on the right site every time they type in a specific web address.

But how does a domain name work? To understand this, it's important to know about the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS is essentially the internet's phonebook. It translates human-friendly website names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are series of numbers that computers use to communicate with each other.

When you type a domain name into your browser, the DNS servers take that input and translate it into the unique IP address associated with that domain. The browser then loads the content linked to this IP address.

For example, you might enter "www.roxnode.com" into your browser. The DNS servers translate this to the corresponding IP address (say, 123.456.78.9), your browser sends a request to that address, and the server at that IP address delivers the website content for "roxnode.com."