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Digital Brand Management Services
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Glossary
A B C D
E F G H I
J K L
M N O P
Q R S T U
V W X
Y Z
ACPA
The American Cybersquatting Protection Act.
This act provides civil liability for the bad faith registration or
use of a trademark or service mark of another as a domain name. It is
aimed at remedying "cyber-squatting." President Clinton signed
it into law on November 29, 1999.
ARIN
American Registry for Internet Numbers. ARIN
allocates and sells IP numbers in the Americas and Africa. ARIN sells
numbers to APNIC for Asia, and to RIPE for Europe.
Browser
Software that locates a set
of Web site files on a server elsewhere on the Internet and "assembles"
the text and images in those files according to directions also contained
in those files, and makes your computer screen display a "page."
The most commonly-used browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain)
A part of the domain space associated with
a certain country or region. A top-level domain containing a 2-character
abbreviation as defined by ISO 3166-1 (Codes for the Representation
of Names of Countries and Their Subdivisions). As of late 2004 there
were nearly 250 country code top level domains (ccTLDs) registered.
Some examples are .us for the United States, .ca for Canada, .jp for Japan, .de for Germany, etc. ccTLDs are often contrasted to generic
top level domains (gTLDs). Approximately 86 of the 243 ccTLDs are open,
or unrestricted; meaning that they do not have any local presence requirements
in order to register a domain name, similar to gTLDs. However, many
ccTLDs often are more restrictive, and may require proof of local incorporation
and/or a local address.
Complete Domain Name Record
A complete domain name records typically lists
the Registrant, the Administrative Contact, the Technical Contact, the
Billing Contact, along with their contact information. It also lists
the Primary and Secondary host name servers and their IP addresses.
Original registration and modification dates might also be listed.
Constituencies
The ICANN Domain Name Supporting Organization
consists of a Names Council, several Constituencies and a General Assembly.
Each Constituency is self-organized. The initial Constituencies consist
of (in alphabetical order): 1. ccTLD registries; 2. commercial and business
entities; 3. gTLD registries; 4. ISP and connectivity providers; 5.
non-commercial domain name holders; 6. registrars; and 7. trademark,
other intellectual property and anti-counterfeiting interests. Any group
of individuals or entities may petition the ICANN Board for recognition
as a new or separate Constituency. (Constituency website URLs can be
found at http://www.icann.org/dnso/dnso.htm).
Cooperative Agreement
A type of contractual agreement often used
by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) that facilitates
cooperation between private organizations and the U.S. government for
the purposes of encouraging development of new technology with the ultimate
goal of turning that technology over to the private sector. Network
Solutions (now VeriSign) entered into a cooperative agreement with the
National Science Foundation in 1993 to provide Internet domain name
registration services. That agreement was transferred from NSF to the
U.S. Department of Commerce and is still in force today.
Country Code Top-Level Domain
Also ccTLD. (See above).
Cybersquatting
A practice where "individuals seek extortionate
profits by reserving Internet domain names that are similar or identical
to trademarked names with no intention of using the names in commerce
themselves." H.R. Rep. No. 106-412, at 6 (1999).
Database
A collection of data organized into information
that can be retrieved quickly and easily, like an electronic filing
system. Databases are normally set up into tables that use unique identifiers. Registrar databases call
these identifiers handles.
Delegated
Assigned to a registry organization/administrator
and activated on the Internet (released in the root zone). Of the 243
ccTLDs, 194 have been delegated; of these, 184 are active and 10 are closed. (as of April 2001.)
DNS
Domain Name System. The
DNS allows people to use names (e.g., www.verisign.com) rather than
IP addresses (such as 65.205.249.60) to find Web sites and send e-mail.
When a user types www.verisign.com into a Web browser, for example,
a behind-the-scenes process quickly translates the name into an IP address
which is passed to the Web browser so that it can connect to the intended
Web site. This process, called "resolution," relies on a global
network of name servers operated by many different companies and organizations.
The DNS comprises computers, data files, software, and people working
together.
DNSO
Domain Name Supporting Organization - A supporting
organization of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).
It advises the ICANN Board with respect to policy issues relating to
the Domain Name System. The DNSO consists of: (i) a Names Council ("NC"),
consisting of representatives of constituencies elected by those Constituencies
and (ii) a General Assembly ("GA"), consisting of all interested
individuals and entities.
DoC
United States Department of Commerce
Domain Name
An addressing construct used for identifying
and locating computers on the Internet. Domain names provide a system
of easy-to-remember Internet addresses, which can be translated by the
Domain Name System (DNS) into the numeric addresses (Internet Protocol
(IP) numbers) used by the network. A domain name is hierarchical and
often conveys information about the type of entity using the domain
name. A domain name is simply a label that represents a domain, which
is a subset of the total domain name space. Domain names at the same
level of the hierarchy must be unique. Thus, for example, there can
be only one .COM at the top-level of the hierarchy, and only one verisign.com
at the next level of the hierarchy.
Domain Name System
A distributed database of information that
is used to translate domain names (which are easy for humans to remember
and use) into Internet Protocol (IP) numbers, which are what computers
need to find each other on the Internet. People working on computers
around the globe maintain their specific portion of this database, and
the data held in each portion of the database is made available to all
computers and users on the Internet. The DNS comprises computers, data
files, software, and people working together.
Drafting Committees
Drafting committees are bodies of Domain Name
Supporting Organization General Assembly members that are established
by the DNSO Names Council to carry out its consensus building responsibility.
Each recognized DNSO Constituency may participate in any drafting committee.
General Assembly
The General Assembly (GA) is an open forum
for participation in the work of the ICANN Domain Name Supporting Organization
(DNSO). The participants in the GA should be individuals who have a
knowledge of and an interest in issues pertaining to the areas for which
the DNSO has primary responsibility, and who are willing to contribute
time, effort and expertise to the work of the DNSO, including work item
proposal and development, discussion of work items, draft document preparation,
and participation in research and drafting committees and working groups.
Generic Top-Level Domain
A top-level domain name that is open to registrants
around the world in contrast to country code top level domains that
are often restricted to registrants located in a particular country
or region. gTLDs include .com, .net, .biz, .info, .name and .org.
gTLD
Generic top-level domain. See above.
Host
Also called a name server. A computer that
has both the software and the data (zone files) needed to resolve domain
names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers.
IANA
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (See http://www.iana.org/)
ICANN
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (See: http://www.icann.org/)
ICANN/VeriSign Registry Agreement
An agreement executed on November 10, 1999
between ICANN and VeriSign. The agreement contains the terms and conditions
under which VeriSign is authorized to be the exclusive registry for
all second-level domain names in the .com and .net top level domain
names.
IETF
Internet Engineering Task Force (See http://www.ietf.org/)
IFWP
International Forum on the White Paper (See http://www.ifwp.org/)
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
The function that currently oversees registration
for various Internet Protocol parameters, such as port numbers, protocol
and enterprise numbers, options, codes, and types. The IANA function
is located at the Information Sciences Institute at the University of
Southern California in Marina del Rey, CA and functions under the direction
of ICANN. (See http://www.iana.org/)
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers
An international not-for-profit, private sector
organization created to coordinate four key functions for the Internet:
the management of the domain name system, the allocation of IP address
space, the assignment of protocol parameters, and the management of
the root server system. (See: http://www.icann.org/)
Internet Domain Name
An addressing construct used for identifying
and locating computers on the Internet. Domain names provide a system
of easy-to-remember Internet addresses, which can be translated by the
Domain Name System (DNS) into the numeric addresses (Internet Protocol
(IP) numbers) used by the network. A domain name is hierarchical and
often conveys information about the type of entity using the domain
name. A domain name is simply a label that represents a domain, which
is a subset of the total domain name space. Domain names at the same
level of the hierarchy must be unique. Thus, for example, there can
be only one .COM at the top-level of the hierarchy, and only one verisign.com
at the next level of the hierarchy.
Internet Engineering Task Force
An international, voluntary body consisting
of network designers, engineers, researchers, vendors, and other interested
individuals who work together to address and resolve technical and operational
problems on the Internet and develop Internet standards and protocols.
The IETF, which was formed by the Internet Architecture Board (IAB),
meets three times a year, however the bulk of the collaboration and
work takes place on the various mailing lists maintained by its participants.
(See http://www.ietf.org/)
Internet Protocol Number (IP address)
A unique, numeric identifier used to specify
hosts and networks. Internet Protocol (IP) numbers are part of a global,
standardized scheme for identifying machines that are connected to the
Internet. Technically speaking, IP numbers are 32 bit addresses that
consist of four octets, and they are expressed as four numbers between
0 and 255, separated by periods, for example: 198.41.0.52. IP allocation
for the Americas, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa is currently
handled by the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). IP allocation
for Europe is currently handled by RIPE (Reseaux IP Europeens). IP allocation
for the Asia/Pacific region is currently handled by the Asia-Pacific
Network Information Center (APNIC).
InterNIC
Internet Network Information Center. InterNIC
is a registered service mark of the U.S. Department of Commerce. InterNIC
was the name given to a project that originated in 1993 under a cooperative
agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF) enabling VeriSign
to provide domain name registration services in .com and .net. The InterNIC
is currently the name of a web site provided by the U.S. Department
of Commerce (see http://www.interNIC.net/).
InterNIC Web Site
InterNIC is a registered service mark of the
U.S. Department of Commerce. This site is now being hosted by the International
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers on behalf of the U.S. Department
of Commerce. This Web site was established to provide the public information
regarding Internet domain name registration services. (See http://www.interNIC.net/)
IP
Internet Protocol
IP Address
See Internet Protocol Number.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. Any company that
provides access to the Internet for individuals and/or companies, through
telecommunication lines and other equipment. Users call the ISP via
a modem or a network phone. ISPs can also provide server space for registrant
Web site files and may offer Web site design services.
Lame Delegation
Listing a host (name server) that does not
contain a Start of Authority (SOA) record for a domain name when registering
a domain name with a registry or registrar.
Name Server
Also called a host. A computer that has both
the software and the data (zone files) needed to resolve domain names
to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers.
Name Service
Providing individuals or organizations with
domain name-to-Internet Protocol (IP) number resolution by maintaining
and making available the hardware, software, and data needed to perform
this function. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operate name servers
and provide their customers with name service when they register a domain
name. Most individuals are not in a position to operate a name server
on their own and will need to make arrangements for name service with
an ISP or some other person or organization.
Names Council
The Names Council (NC) is a part of the Domain
Name Supporting Organization (DNSO), one of three supporting organizations
for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
It consists of three representatives from each DNSO constituency recognized
by the ICANN Board, with the temporary exception of the gTLD Registry
Constituency that currently has only one representative. The NC is responsible
for the management of the consensus building process of the DNSO.
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
the Executive Branch's principal voice on domestic and international
telecommunications and information technology issues. NTIA is the agency
within DoC that manages the cooperative agreement with VeriSign and
the Memorandum of Understanding with ICANN. (See http://www.ntia.doc.gov/)
NIC Handles
Unique identifiers for the three types of contacts
associated with a domain name record. These contacts are generally known
as the Administrative, Billing and Technical Contacts. For example,
the Administrative Contact for myname.com might be John Doe. John Doe's NIC Contact handle
could be RFD306. When registering additional domain names, John Doe
could type in his NIC handle instead of having to retype all of his
contact information over again. This also eliminates confusion when
searching database records, in the event that two or more John Does
exist. The person ordering the search would search by NIC contact handle
in order to find all domain names associated with that unique identifier.
NTIA
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (See http://www.ntia.doc.gov/)
Operational Test and Evaluation
A process in which registrars licensed by the
VeriSign Registry develop client systems and software to register and
manage domain names and name servers prior to live operation in the
Shared Registration System. The Shared Registration System includes
an isolated, shared Operational Test and Evaluation server environment
that is used for both initial registrar system development and ongoing
registrar development and testing. Prior to operation in the live Shared
Registration System, registrars must complete a basic functional evaluation
in the Operational Test and Evaluation environment to demonstrate full
and correct operation of their client systems. The evaluation must be
completed without error before registrars are given access to the live
Shared Registration System.
OT&E
Operational Test and Evaluation
Primary Server
The name server that will be used first and
will be relied upon before any of the other name servers that may be
listed when a domain name is registered with the registry. When registering
names with the VeriSign Registry, registrars must provide the name and
IP address of a primary server for the name.
Registrant
The individual or organization that registers
a specific domain name with a registrar. This individual or organization
holds the right to use that specific domain name for a specified period
of time, provided certain conditions are met and the registration fees
are paid. This person or organization is the "legal entity"
bound by the terms of the Domain Name Registration Agreement with the
registrar. Note that the VeriSign Registry provides direct services
to registrars only, not Internet end-users. The registry database contains
only domain name service (DNS) information (domain name, name server
names and name server Internet Protocol [IP] numbers) along with the
name of the registrar that registered the name and basic transaction
data. It does not contain any domain name registrant or contact information.
Registrars provide direct services to registrants.
Registrar
A registrar provides direct services to domain
name registrants. The registrar database contains customer information
in addition to the DNS information contained in the Registry database.
Registrars process name registrations for Internet end-users and then
send the necessary DNS information to a Registry for entry into the
centralized Registry database and ultimate propagation over the Internet.
There are multiple registrars providing registration services through
the VeriSign Registry. (See http://www.interNIC.net/)
Registrar License and Agreement
This is a contract that registrars must enter
into with the VeriSign Global Registry Services in order to be able
to provide registration services through the VeriSign Global Registry.
(See http://www.icann.org/nsi/nsi-agreements.htm)
Registrar Whois
A searchable database maintained by registrars
that contains information about networks, networking organizations,
domain names, and the contacts associated with them for the com, org,
net, edu, and ISO 3166 ccTLDs. Also, the protocol, or set of rules,
that describes the application used to access the database. Each registrar
implements the Whois protocol and maintains a separate and distinct
Whois database for its respective domain name registrations.
Registry
An Internet domain name registry is an entity
that receives domain name service (DNS) information from domain name
registrars, inserts that information into a centralized database and
propagates the information in Internet zone files on the Internet so
that domain names can be found by users around the world via applications
such as the world wide web and email. VeriSign is the exclusive registry
for the .com and .net top level domains.
Registry Agreement
An agreement executed on November 10, 1999
between ICANN and VeriSign. The agreement contains the terms and conditions
under which VeriSign is authorized to be the exclusive registry for
all second-level domain names in the .com and .net top level domain
names.
Registry Registrar Protocol (RRP)
A protocol for the registration and management
of second level domain names and associated name servers in both Top
Level Domains (TLDs) and country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs). This
protocol was developed by the Network Solutions Registry (now VeriSign
Registry). RRP is a TCP-based, 7-bit US-ASCII text protocol that permits
multiple registrars to provide second level Internet domain name registration
services in the top level domains (TLDs) administered by a TLD registry.
Registry Whois
This is the authoritative Whois service for
all second-level Internet domain names registered in the .com and .net
top-level domains. This service is available to anyone. For all registered
second-level domain names in .com and .net, information as illustrated
in the following example is displayed:
Domain Name: LIBERTY.COM
Registrar: DOMAINDISCOVER
Whois Server: whois.domaindiscover.com
Referral URL: http://www.domaindiscover.com
Name Server: NS1.TRAINWEB.COM
No end-user contact information is displayed
because VeriSign does not maintain that information.
Resolving
Translating
a textual domain name into a numeric IP Address. A browser will translate
a domain name into its IP Address, a number designating the server where
the files for the domain name are kept.
Restricted ccTLD
A
country-code top-level domain that requires a local mailing address
and/or proof of local incorporation in order to register a desired domain
name. There
may also be restrictions on how many domain name registrations are allowed
per person or organization. Some
ccTLDs may request additional documentation.
Root
The
top of the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. Often referred to as
the "dot."
Root Server
A
machine that has the software and data needed to locate name servers
that contain authoritative data for the top-level domains (e.g., root
servers know which name servers contain authoritative data for com,
net, fr, uk. etc.). The root servers are, in fact, name servers and
contain authoritative data for the very top of the Domain Name System
(DNS) hierarchy. Currently, technical specifications limit the number
of root servers to 13. These machines are currently located around the
globe, in the U.S., the U.K., Sweden, and Japan.
RRP
Registry
Registrar Protocol
Resolve
The
term used to describe the process by which domain names are matched
with corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. "Resolution"
is accomplished by a combination of computers and software, referred
to as name servers that use the data in the Domain Name System to determine
which IP numbers correspond to a particular domain name.
Secondary Server
A
name server that will be used in addition to and as a backup for the
primary name server for a domain name. Names and IP addresses of secondary
servers are provided by registrars when they register names with the
VeriSign Registry.
Second Level Domain Name
In
the Domain Name System (DNS), the next lower level of the hierarchy
underneath the top-level domains. In a domain name, that portion of
the domain name that appears immediately to the left of the top-level
domain. Second level domain names are often descriptive and have come
to be used increasingly to represent businesses and other commercial
concerns on the Internet.
Severely Restricted
ccTLD
A
country-code top-level domain that has many requirements for registration.
Requirements may include a local mailing address for the Registrant
and/or Administrative Contact; proof of local incorporation or other
documentation. Most also limit the number of registrations an organization
or individuals can request.
Server
A
computer that holds data, files or programs so that multiple users can
have access to them. A server can provide a link to a shared resource
such as printer.
Shared Registration System
The
Shared Registration System developed by the VeriSign Registry permits
multiple registrars to provide Internet domain name registration services
within the top-level domains (TLDs) administered by VeriSign. The System
(a protocol and associated hardware and software) includes the following
subsystems: a database server subsystem, a registration subsystem ensuring
equivalent access to the registry by all registrars; a billing subsystem;
a systems development and testing subsystem; a TLD zone file generation
subsystem; and a Whois subsystem. The System is consistent with, and
supportive of, the provisions of the Statement of Policy on Domain Name
System administration, Management of Internet Names and Addresses, 63
Fed Reg. 31741 (1998) (the "White Paper"), as well as Amendment
No. 11 to Cooperative Agreement NCR-92-18742 between the U.S. Government
and VeriSign.
SOA
Start
of Authority
SRS
Shared
Registration System
SSL
SSL
is an acronym for "Secure Socket Layer," a security protocol
that provides communications privacy over the Internet. The protocol
allows client/server applications to communicate in a way that is designed
to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery.
Start of Authority (SOA) Resource Record
A
type of record used in the distributed database that is the Domain Name
System (DNS) to indicate that a particular name server contains authoritative
data for a particular domain.
Supporting Organizations
The
ICANN Supporting Organizations serve as advisory bodies to the Board,
with a primary responsibility of developing and recommending substantive
policies regarding those matters falling within their specific responsibilities.
TLD
Top
Level Domain
TLD Zone
A
file that contains data describing a portion of the domain name space
for a specific top-level domain. Zone files contain the information
needed to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. Zone
files contain domain names, their associated name server names and the
IP addresses for those name servers.
TLD Zone Files
Files
that contain data describing a portion of the domain name space for
specific top level domains. Zone files contain the information needed
to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. Zone files
contain domain names, their associated name server names and the IP
addresses for those name servers. VeriSign updates TLD zone files for
the .com and .net TLDs every five minutes.
Top Level Domain
In
the Domain Name System (DNS), the highest level of the hierarchy after
the root. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears
furthest to the right. For example, the net in nsiregistry.net
UDRP
Uniform
Domain Name Dispute Policy. Adopted by the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN"), is incorporated by reference
into all gTLD Registration Agreements, and sets forth the terms and
conditions in connection with a dispute between the Registrant and any
party other than the Registrar over the registration and use of an Internet
domain name registered by the Registrant. Disputes are processed through
ICANN-approved arbitration organizations and panelists. This Policy
is often considered to be a relatively inexpensive method to resolve
a gTLD domain name dispute.
Unrestricted ccTLD
A
country-code top-level domain where no local presence is required in
order to register a domain name. Anyone, from anywhere, may register,
similar to gTLDs. Almost all have no limit on the number of names a
company can register. Unrestricted countries are generally considered
"high-risk" countries by many trademark holders and rank as
the highest priority for registration. Many companies register to protect
themselves from cyber-squatters and to maximize traffic to their Web
sites.
Unrestricted Country-Code Package
Offered
by VeriSign® Online Brand Protection
Services, a bundled registration and maintenance service, incorporating
a flat fee to register one or more names in all available unrestricted
country-code domains. Net-savvy companies are registering in these unrestricted
ccTLDs in order to protect, extend and reinforce their brands. They
want first crack in Internet markets where the local population may
be typing in local domain name addresses when looking for information
or to buy. They want all to cover all possible bases in the quest to
maximize traffic to their .com and local Web sites. Contact your Account
Manager for details.
Whois
A
searchable database maintained by registries and registrars that contains
information about domain name registrations in the com, net, org, edu,
and ISO 3166 country code top-level domains. Also, the protocol, or
set of rules, that describes the application used to access the database.
Whois Server
The
URL (web address) where the Whois service for a particular registry
or registrar may be found. This is one of the items of information provided
by the VeriSign
Global Registry Whois.
Working Groups
Working
Groups are bodies of Domain Name Supporting Organization General Assembly
members that are established by the DNSO Names Council to carry out
its consensus building responsibility. Each recognized DNSO Constituency
may participate in any working group.
Zone File Access Agreement
An
agreement with the VeriSign Registry that must be executed by parties
requesting access to the VeriSign Global Registry TLD zone files.
Zone Files
Files
that contain data describing a portion of the domain name space for
specific top level domains. Zone files contain the information needed
to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. Zone files
contain domain names, their associated name server names and the IP
addresses for those name servers. VeriSign updates zone files for the
.com, .net and .org TLDs every five minutes.
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