FAQs

For More Information

What is a domain name?


A domain name is a series of letters, numbers and some special characters, which together represent a form legible and easy to remember. It is used to determine a website on the internet which is used as a readable alternative from an IP address that is used effectively to identify sites and directing Internet traffic.



What is DNS?


Based in the current internet protocol it is almost impossible to publish a website working in a normal way without a domain name .



Why do I need to register a domain name ?


The Internet Domain Name System (DNS) is a set of distributed databases containing IP addresses and their corresponding domain names. Each domain name is mapped to a particular numeric address. DNS, with servers located all over the Internet, performs the translation back and forth between names and numbers.
This scheme enables users to invoke an easy-to-remember name (e.g. www.rasil.sa) instead of a more mysterious string of numbers (e.g. 86.111.195.4) when using the Internet.



How does (.sa) ccTLD differ from (.com) gTLD?


The (.sa) is the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) designated for domain names in Saudi Arabia. While (.com) is a generic Top Level Domain (gTLDs) that is open for commercial entities and others world-wide. The policies and administration of the (.sa) domain name are set and managed by SaudiNIC in CITC. While gTLDs are managed by ICANN.



Do I need to register my domain name under gTLDs (e.g., .com, .net) after I registered it under Saudi TLDs (.sa, com.sa, net.sa, …etc)?


The ccTLD sub-domains (.sa, .com.sa, .net.sa,.. etc.) are for entities in Saudi Arabia while gTLDs (e.g., .com, .net) are open for entities world-wide. We recommend for Saudi entities to register their domain names under Saudi TLDs (.sa, com.sa, net.sa, …etc) and as under some gTLDs if needed.



Do I need to have a web site (ready or hosted) to register a domain name?


Your site doesn't have to be hosted and ready to get a domain name.



What is the meaning of (Not hosted domain name ) ?


That means the domain name in question was not added to the domain name servers, or it was added incorrectly or partially. all those cases will lead to a technical problems that might prevent the users from reaching the website with the domain in question . Please note that it is the registrant responsibility to provide at least two DNS servers with permanent IP connectivity to the Internet. Each DNS server must be capable of receiving queries for the domain name and responding thereto. The Registrant may contract a third party to provide these DNS servers in accordance with the provided requirements.



What are the differences between domain name hosting and web hosting and which one of them comes first?


A domain name hosting is to setup two active name servers on the Internet that store all the information about the domain name and reply for any query about it. While a web hosting is a service that comes after domain name hosting which hosts the web pages related to that domain name.



What are DNS (primary or secondary) servers and how to get them?


A primary DNS server is the server that store the original zone file of a domain name. Any change or update to the zone information is done through this server that also responds to any inquiry about the domain name. While a secondary DNS server gets a copy of the zone file from the primary DNS server. It responds to any queries about the domain name but it does not do any update or change to the zone information directly. You can get DNS servers from ISPs, web hosting service providers, or from your entity’s IT department.



How do I choose a domain name for my organization?


It is common that a domain name is driven from the registrant name (e.g., abbreviations, acronyms, part of the name) or from a registered trademark owned by the registrant. Please see “Criteria to Demonstrate Reasonable Relationship between a Domain Name and a Registrant”