Every host on a network is assigned a unique character based name called the Fully Qualified Host Name or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).
Ex: www.programmingtheweb.com, www.youngbrandon.com
The Domain Name is the last two parts of the FQDN (youngbrandon.com, programmingtheweb.com). These are registered with an internet naming authority that works on behalf of ICANN. The first part of the FQDN is what is known as the Host Name. For example, www is usually given to servers on a network while FTP is assigned to FTP servers. The last part of the FQDN is what is the Top-level Domain (TLD). ICANN places some restrictions on who can purchase the different TLD’s available although it has loosened its restrictions over time.
| Domain Suffix | Type of Organization |
|---|---|
| ARPA | Reverse lookup domain (special internet function) |
| COM | Commercial |
| EDU | Educational |
| GOV | Government |
| ORG | Noncommercial organization (such as a nonprofit agency) |
| NET | Network (such as an ISP) |
| INT | International Treaty Organization |
| MIL | United States Military Organization |
| BIZ | Business |
| INFO | Unrestricted use |
| AERO | Air-transport industry |
| COOP | Cooperatives |