Questions/Answers...

Q.: Who is Center State Communications?
Q.: How do I contact you should I have a comment/question?
Q.: I already own a Domain Name, can you still develop a website for me?
Q.: What is a Domain Name?
Q.: How Domain Names work?
Q.: How can you charge so much less for Domain Registration than other Registrars?
Q.: How to Choose a Domain Name
Q.: Do you offer domain names in bulk quantities?
Q.: Does transferring a domain forfeit time left on the registration period?
Q.: What if I misspelled my domain when I registered it?
Q.: Why should I register more than one domain name?
Q.: Can I register domains if I don't have a hosting provider?
Q.: Can I hide my personal information in the Whois directory?
Q.: What does it mean to park a domain name?
Q.: What do I do if I have a trademark dispute?
Q.: What is a nameserver?
Q.: What is DNS?
Q.: Can a domain registered elsewhere use your system to register new nameservers?
Q.: Registering Your Own Nameservers/Hosts
Q.: Registering Domains...
Q.: What are zone files and zone records?

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Q.: Who is Center State Communications?

A.: Center State Communications is a data communications firm located in Thompsontown, Pennsylvania and was founded by Carolyn O'Day-Malfara & Scott A Shelley in 2004. For additional information please refer to our "About Us" page.

 

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Q.: How do I contact you should I have a comment/question?

A.: Center State Communications can be reached by calling or emailing us. Our contact information is available on our "Contacts" page.

 

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Q.: I already own a Domain Name, can you still develop a website for me?

A.: Yes, even if you already own a Domain Name, Center State Communications can develop a website for you. You will need to have a website hosting account with a third-party provider or you can purchase hosting from us in order for your website to be visible. Talk to your sales representative or web developor for additional information or to purchase a hosting account today, simply visit: CenterStateDomains.net.

 

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Q.: What is a Domain Name?

A.: A domain name is a Web address, such as coolexample.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the governing body that coordinates links between IP addresses and domain names across the Internet, so you can find Web sites by entering domain names instead of IP addresses into your Web browser.

For example, think of an IP address as an address for a house or business, such as the White House. The address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is comparable to an IP address, and the name you know it as, the White House, is comparable to a domain name.

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD), or domain extension, is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (coolexample.com). The most common domain extensions are .COM, .NET, and .ORG. Some other popular domain extensions are .BIZ, .INFO, .NAME, and .WS. These common extensions have certain guidelines, but are usually available to any registrant, anywhere in the world.

There are also restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .AERO, .BIZ, .EDU, .MIL, .MUSEUM, .NAME, and .PRO that require registrants to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, the .NAME domain extension is reserved for individuals, while .EDU is reserved for educational entities.

Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .BZ (Belize), .CA (Canada), .DK (Denmark), .EC (Ecuador), .IE (Republic of Ireland), .UK (United Kingdom), .US (United States), and .ZW (Zimbabwe).

The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (coolexample.com) is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name is the "readable" part of the address and refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an ICANN-accredited registrar. As an ICANN-accredited registrar, you can register domain names through us.

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Q.: How do domain names work?

A.: Registering a domain doesn't automatically make your Web site appear when visitors enter your domain into a Web browser. You have to upload your Web site to a computer that hosts the site and assigns a numeric address, called an IP address, to your domain. Your domain and associated IP address are stored in a database with every other domain and associated IP address. When visitors enter your domain into a Web browser, your domain works like an address forwarding service by forwarding visitors to the IP address where your Web site is stored. We use domain names instead of IP addresses because most people find it easier to remember a name rather than a series of numbers.

When you register a domain, you do not have to create and upload a Web site. You can also:

Sell it. Domains can be a great investment. If you have registered a domain that you are not using, maybe someone else can. Log in to your Account Manager and set up a For Sale parked page for your domain. Don't forget to include your contact information.

Protect your brand online. The more domains you register, the better. Prevent others from registering a similar domain to yours—just to steal away your customers. What to do with all these names? Forward them to your main domain.

Hold on to it. Maybe you haven’t decided what to do with your new domain. Don’t worry – there’s no rush. You can leave it parked with us for the length of your registration.

For new .COM and .NET domains and updates, it may take up to eight hours for changes to become effective. It may take up to 48 hours for changes made to all other domain extensions to become effective. This is because of the number of networks and agencies involved. Delays apply to all domains and registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email.

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Q.: How can you charge so much less for domain registration than other registrars?

A.: We do not purchase domains through any other company. We are a fully accredited registrar of domain names. ICANN, the governing body of domain names, has approved us as a registrar. Our registration services compete directly with those of other registrars.

We can charge less by accepting lower profit margins without hidden fees or gimmicks. We do not make you use our hosting services with your domain, and we strive to offer better services than our competitors.

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Q.: How to Choose a Domain Name?

A.: The internet continues to expand exponentially every year. More and more users are turning to the internet in an attempt to traverse some of the traditional concepts of business, such as a big building. As more people join, the use of site names becomes burdened. The business is so good that there are even people out there, for no particular reason, who are prepared to "buy" your name at a cheap price, and then sell it back to you at an immense profit. Try several variations of your name or company name to secure your "own" space, don't worry if they are already taken, there are alternatives.

1) First of all, establish if your own name or your company name is owned by someone else. Select one of the major search engines, such as Google, and type in your name or name of your company. Type without a space between your first and surname or company name. The search engine will tell you if your name(s) are owned already. If you visit our domain portal site at CenterStateDomains.net and enter the name that you wish to use as a domain name, it will provide you with several variations of the name you entered, we highly recommend performing this step.

2) If your name is owned or you have a common or cryptic name, try variants of your name. Use your first name and the first letter of your surname or company name. You can also use nicknames or abbreviations, online identity names or any other combination until you come up with a name not owned.

3) Registering your domain name will establish your presence on the internet. To purchase your domain name, simply visit CenterStateDomains.net. Input your selected name and choose the payment method, and the name is yours.

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Q.: Do you offer domain names in bulk quantities?

A.: Yes, you can register any domain extension combinations and take advantage of our bulk pricing. We apply bulk pricing based on the total number of domains you register in bulk. For example, you can register 48 .COM domains a 12 .BIZ domains and qualify for bulk pricing for 50 to 100 domains.

 

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Q.: Does transferring a domain forfeit time left on the registration period?

A.: For most domains, when you transfer your domain to us, we add one year to the existing registration period. When transferring .EU domains, you forfeit any time remaining on your original registration. Your registration for .EU domains expires one year from the date on which you completed the transfer.

Once you complete your transfer, you can renew your domain through us for up to ten years.

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Q.: What if I misspelled my domain when I registered it?

A.: Unfortunately, we are unable to change or edit the spelling of a domain after it has been registered. We try to register the domain exactly as you enter it. Should the registration succeed, you are charged, even if the domain you entered was not what you actually intended to type.

You do have the option of cancelling the domain so that it is no longer registered to you, but cancelling does not entitle you to a refund of any part of your registration fee. Cancelling a domain is a permanent action.

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Q.: Why should I register more than one domain name?

A.: If you're thinking about registering more than one domain name, you've got the right idea. Registering and using multiple domains names is great for building your business and can help you create a dynamic online identity.

When you register multiple domain names, you can:

• Keep your competition from registering a domain name that draws customers to them instead of you.

• Promote the different products and services you offer.

• Drive more traffic to your Web site.

• Enjoy more opportunities to market to — and be listed in — search engines.

• Create distinct advertising strategies that reach different target markets.

• Provide customers more ways to find you when searching the Internet.
  

• Capture common misspellings of your domain name, instead of sending visitors to an error page.

• Protect your brand and online identity from those who may have unsavory purposes.

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Q.: Can I register domains if I don't have a hosting provider?

A.: Yes, you can register domains before you find a hosting provider. We automatically park domains you register with us. A temporary parked page displays when visitors go to your Web site. The parked page indicates you are reserving the site until you find a hosting provider and upload your site.

 

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Q.: Can I hide my personal information in the Whois directory?

A.: We must make the contact information you listed for your domain public, per our registrar's agreement with ICANN (the international governing body of domain names). Using false information violates the registration agreement and leads to the termination of your domain registration.

However, we do offer our private domain registration services to help protect your privacy. You can purchase our private domain registration services, and we will list the Domains By Proxy name, postal address, and phone number on the Whois directory. Although Domains By Proxy is the name on the registration, you retain the full benefits of domain registration. You can:

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Q.: What does it mean to park a domain name?

A.: When you park a domain name, a temporary Web page displays when visitors go to your domain. You may want to park your domain to indicate you are reserving it until you create your Web site, find a hosting provider, or sell the domain to a third party.

 

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Q.: What do I do if I have a trademark dispute?

A.: Unfortunately, we cannot make any changes to the registrant fields without a legal change of ownership, a court order, or an order by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

If you feel that you are the rightful owner of the domain, please contact the domain registrant. If you are unable to find a satisfactory solution with the current registrant, you need to settle the issue with a court order. We do not get involved in domain disputes.

Discrepancies with trademark or rightful ownership are handled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Their email address is domain.disputes@wipo.int. If a domain name is under a dispute, we lock the domain name once the WIPO notifies us. It cannot be modified or transferred to another registrar. Once we receive a court or WIPO ruling, we update the domain accordingly.

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Q.: What is a nameserver?

A.: Nameservers are the Internet's equivalent to phone books. A nameserver maintains a directory of domain names that match certain IP addresses (computers). The information from all the nameservers across the Internet is gathered in a central registry.

This makes it possible for visitors to access your Web site using a familiar domain name, instead of having to remember a series of numbers.

Nameservers on other networks can access information at the central registry up to 8 hours after registering .COM and .NET domains and up to 48 hours for all other domain extensions. This period is referred to as the propagation period.

The nameserver you use depends on when you set up your hosting account.

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Q.: What is DNS?

A.: Your DNS or Domain Name Server is the system that allows your Web site to display when users enter a domain in a Web browser. Nameservers are the Internet's equivalent to a phone book; they link the number to the name. The nameserver maintains a directory of domain names that match the IP addresses, or computers. Information from all nameservers on the Internet is compiled in a central registry, making it possible for people across the Internet to access your Web site using domain name.

For new .COM and .NET domains and updates, it may take up to eight hours for changes to become effective. It may take up to 48 hours for changes made to all other domain extensions to become effective. This is because of the number of networks and agencies involved. Delays apply to all domains and registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email.

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Q.: Can a domain registered elsewhere use your system to register new nameservers?

A.: No, your domain must be registered through us if you want to use our system to register nameservers for it. For domains registered elsewhere, register nameservers through your current registrar. For more information, contact your current registrar.

However, if you registered nameservers through our system, you can assign them to domains that you registered elsewhere. For more information, see Registering Your Own Nameservers below.

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Q.: Registering Your Own Nameservers/Hosts

A.: You are not required to register hosts, but if you intend to set up your own Domain Name Server (DNS) service, you can register your own hosts. You can enter up to 13 hosts, depending on the maximum number of hosts the top-level domain (TLD) registry allows.

WARNING: Unless you have a thorough understanding of this process, we recommend that you do not use this feature.

To Register Your Own Hosts

1. Log in to your Account Manager at CenterStateDomains.net.

2. In the My Products section, click Domain Manager.

3. Click the domain for which you want to create a host.

4. In the Host Summary section, click the add hyperlink in the header.

5. In the Host name field, enter the host name you want to register.

NOTE: Do not enter "www" as part of your host na

1. In the Host IP fields, enter the IP address(es) you want to add to the host.

2. Click OK.

It takes 4 to 8 hours to register hosts for .COM and .NET domains and 24 to 48 hours for all other domain extensions.

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Q.: Registering Domains...

A.: If your domain is available, you can register it for a period of time that you specify during the checkout process. You can use your domain to build your business and assist you in creating a dynamic online identity. You may also want to consider registering multiple domain names to:

To get started, you need to check if the domain name you want is available.

To Check a Domain's Availability

If the domain you requested is taken, we present you with available alternatives. For example, you may be able to select a .INFO or .WS domain extension, rather than a .COM. For example, you could register www.coolexample.info, instead of www.coolexample.com.

If the domain is available, follow the instructions to complete the checkout process. As you complete your registration, include valid contact information for each contact. ICANN, the governing body for domain names, requires valid information for your contact information (Registrant, Technical, Billing, and Administrative). If you enter false information, your domain is cancelled.

Your contact information is public and accessible through the Whois databases of most registrars. However, you can protect your privacy by registering your domain with us using our private domain name registration services.

When you purchase our private domain registration services, the Whois directory lists Domains By Proxy’s name, postal address, and phone number instead of yours. Although Domains By Proxy is the registrant of your domain name registration, you still retain the full benefits of domain registration. You can:

 

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Q.: What are zone files and zone records?

A.: Zone files organize the zone records for domains and subdomains in a DNS server. Every domain and subdomain has a zone file, and each zone file contains zone records, editable in any plain text editor, that holds the DNS information that links domains and subdomains to IP addresses. Zone files usually contain several different zone records.

Note: Although domains may have subdomains, the zone files for subdomains are not considered sub-zone. All zone files are separate entities and do not have a hierarchal structure.

The most common records contained in a zone file are start of authority (SOA), name server, mail exchanger, host, and CNAME. These are described below.

Start of Authority (SOA)
Required for every zone file, the SOA record contains caching information, the zone administrator’s email address, and the master name server for the zone. The SOA also contains a number that is incremented every time the zone file is updated. When this number is changed, it triggers the DNS to reload the zone data.

Name Server (NS)
The NS record contains the name server information for the zone.

Mail Exchanger (MX)
The MX record provides the mail server information for that zone. This allows email to be delivered to the correct location.

Host (A)
The A record is used to map an IP address to a host name. This is the most common type of record on the Internet.

Canonical Name (CNAME)
A CNAME is simply an alias for a host. CNAMEs allow you to have more than one DNS name for a host. CNAME records point back to the A record. If you change your IP address in your A record, all your CNAME records automatically follow the new IP of the A record. The alternative solution is to have multiple A records, but then you would have multiple places to change the IP address, which increases the chances of error. Using CNAMEs is more efficient.

Text (TXT)
An informational record that you can use to provide additional information about a host, or you can format to provide technical information to servers.

Service Records (SRV)
SRV records are resource records used to identify computers that host specific services.

AAAA
AAAA records store a 128-bit Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, which does not fit the standard A record format.

 

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