Domain Name FAQ

What is a domain name?
What does it mean to "register" a domain name?
What if I already have a Domain Name?
What if I’m already hosting with someone else?
What should my domain name be?
What if the domain name I want is already taken?
What are the meanings of “.com”, “.org”, “.net” and other extensions?
How much does Domain Name registration cost?
If I register a Domain Name through MDMate, who does the name belong to?
Can I register my Domain Name myself?
What is a URL?
What is an ISP?
What is an IPP?
What is an ASP?
What is an "application"?
What is the difference between the Internet and an Intranet?
What or Who is InterNIC?
What is DNS?
How do I contact your Technical Support Department?

Domain Name FAQ

What is a domain name?
A Domain Name is an "address" on the Internet and the world-wide-web. Each website and computer server on the Internet actually has a unique number known as an IP (Internet Protocol) address. The IP address is the standard way of identifying a computer that is connected to the Internet, much in the way that a telephone number identifies a telephone on a telephone network. An IP address is four numbers separated by periods, with each number being less than 256 (example: 206.205.242.132). Obviously, this can be a very long number and hard to remember so to make it more convenient, your domain name substitutes any combination of 36 letters or numbers for your IP address. MDMate assigns your website an IP address to the domain-name you select when first establishing your account, but all you and your customers need to remember is the domain name.

What does it mean to "register" a domain name?
The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of an organized directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the server on the Internet that you designate. To register a domain name, you will be asked to provide the registrar you select with the various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be required to enter a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained.

Don’t worry if this sounds complicated, MDMate takes care of it for you.

What if I already have a Domain Name?
No problem, we can setup and host a website on the domain name you already own.

What if I’m already hosting with someone else?
Again, no problem, we can easily switch your domain name over to our servers.

What should my domain name be?
Most domain names center around the name of the organization or relate to a particular product or service. You should to choose a name that is identifiable with your organization and easy for visitors to remember. Start with your name, or your practice or organization name. We will be happy to help you with this process.

What if the domain name I want is already taken?
In this situation you need to come up with alternative acceptable domain names. Again, we will be happy to help you with this process.

What are the meanings of “.com”, “.org”, “.net” and other extensions?
Domain Name extensions indicate the type of organization. The most common are the ones listed below. In addition to those listed, many countries now have their own extensions, such as .uk(United Kingdom).

.com   Commercial (most businesses)
.org    Organization (usually non-profit)
.net     Computer Network (such as an ISP)
.edu     Educational Facility (college or university)
.gov     Branch of Government (U.S.)
.us,.uk, .ca, .cc, etc.   Country designations
.biz     new commercial extension
.info    new generic extension
.name   new extension generally for individuals

How much does Domain Name registration cost?
We include this service in your pricing level. Call or Email us to discuss your one of a kind requirements.

If I register a Domain Name through MDMate, who does the name belong to?
Once your domain name is registered with InterNIC it will become yours and does not belong to MDMate. MDMate’s layouts and graphics are copyrighted and may not be transferred to another website hosting company without MDMate’s express written permission. Your website's raw content -- the original text information used to create your website -- belongs to your organization.

Can I register my Domain Name myself?
Yes, you can, but it is generally a little difficult. InterNIC registrations are handled on-line and use e-mail to correct errors. You will be required to provide information on Domain Name Server (DNS) addresses and other technical information. Also, since we register so many websites, we get volume discounts and are able to pass the savings on to you.

If you would like to try yourself, start at InterNIC WhoIs

What is a URL?
URL is an acronym for Universal Resource Locator -- basically another term for Domain Name. Specifically, it is a string that supplies the Internet address of a web site or resource on the world wide web, along with the protocol by which the site or resource is accessed. The most common URL type is “http,” which gives the Internet address of a Web page. Some other URL types are “gopher,” which gives the Internet address of a Gopher directory, and “ftp,” which gives the network location of an FTP resource.

What is an ISP?
A company which provides access to the Internet through use of its equipment or resources in an Internet Service Provider (ISP). America Online (AOL) is an ISP.

What is an IPP?
A company that hosts websites for clients is known as an Internet Presence Provider (IPP). MDMate is an IPP.

What is an ASP?
A company that hosts software is an Application Service Provider (ASP). MDMate is also an ASP since we host the MDMate Online Scheduling Manager.

What is an "application"?
"Application" is basically another name for software.

What is the difference between the Internet and an Intranet?
The Internet is a global network of computers composed of thousands of Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Local Area Networks (LANs) using TCP/IP to provide communications to homes, schools, businesses, and governments. The world wide web runs on the Internet.

An Intranet is a computer network that is internal to an organization and usually supports Internet applications and is commonly used to share printers and other resources. Most intranets are configured so that their users can access the entire Internet without allowing users of the Internet access to the computers on the intranet.

What or Who is InterNIC?
InterNIC, is an acronym for Internet Network Information Center -- a cooperative activity between various companies such as Network Solutions, Register.com, OpenSRS.net, and others together with the U.S. government to distribute, manage and maintain Internet domain names and their related IP addresses. MDMate performs a query on the InterNIC Registration Services database when performing a domain name check and will register your domain name with InterNIC when setting up your website.

What is DNS?
DNS is an acronym for Domain Name System. The Domain Name System is a distributed Internet directory service. DNS is used mostly to translate between domain names and IP addresses, and to control Internet email delivery. Most Internet services rely on DNS to work, and if DNS fails, web sites cannot be located and email delivery stalls.

MDMate takes care of setting up your DNS when we register your domain name.

How do I contact your Technical Support Department?
MDMate provides technical support to all customers under the terms of your “Hosting Support Agreement”. Support questions are handled by telephone and e-mail. Phone and Email support hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time. See our Contact Us page.

You do not need to worry about you website going “down” due to our redundant servers. But in the case there is a problem, we will be notified immediately and we do have technical support personnel on-call 24 hours a day in case of emergency.

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