71 Internet Services

Important Information Regarding your Domain Name

It's that time of year again. ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) annually requires that all accredited registrars (like Go Daddy, Network Solutions, Register.com, etc.) ask their domain administrators/registrants to review domain name contact data, and make any changes necessary to ensure accuracy. If you had TOPS register your domain, we will ensure that the information listed is accurate and current. However, if you already registered the domain elsewhere and brought it over to your TOPS Community Web Site, only you can update your domain contact information as well as renew your domain name registration. That said, this month we have decided to spend some time reviewing the basics of Domain Name registration.

Domain Registration: The only way to register and start using a domain name is to use the services of a Domain Name Registrar. At one time there was only one domain name registrar - Network Solutions, Inc. - but today there are dozens of accredited registrars (i.e. REGISTER.COM, GoDaddy, BulkRegister, Dotster, etc.). The Domain Name Registrar will ask you to provide some contact and technical, information to have on record. You may nominate the administrative, technical and billing contacts for your domain. These contacts can be individuals other than the owner. The Domain Name Registrar will only allow changes to be made to your domain name by the listed contact(s) provided.

Why Is This Important?: Knowledge and access of your Domain Name Registrar and Contacts is crucial! Every domain name purchased is registered for some limited period of time, anywhere from one year to 10 years. The Domain Name Registrar will send a RENEWAL NOTICE to the contact listed on file with your domain name. You need to know WHO this contact person is and also note whether that contact person is still a part of your organization. Also check to ensure if the information on file with the Domain Name Registrar is current and accurate.

How Can I Check My Domain Name Registration?: You can check a WHOIS server that keeps track of all the registered domain names. The WHOIS server will allow you to query to find out who owns and administers an Internet domain. You can visit http://www.checkdomain.com or your Domain Name Registrar's web site to locate information regarding your domain name. Check to ensure each of the following is current:

1. Registrant: The legal owner of a Domain Name; the individual or organization whose name is listed at the time of registration.
2. Administrative Contact: This person is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the owner and perform most domain management functions on behalf of the owner. These functions include: renew domain names and services, change domain name servers, and edit the administrative and technical contact
   information. Generally the owner or an authorized person from your organization is the administrative contact.
3. Technical Contact: The person or organization that makes technical decisions about the Domain Name. This is the person who handles the technical aspects of your domain, such as hosting your web site as well as making decisions regarding IP addresses, and authoritative name servers for the Domain Name. In most cases, the Technical contacts can renew domain names and services, change domain name servers, and edit the technical contact's information. Note: TOPS should be listed as your Technical Contact.
4. Billing Contact: The person or organization that is invoiced for registration and renewals. This is the person who is responsible for initial and recurring billing for the Domain Name.

As a final word of advice, here are the best ways to make sure you will be able to easily update your contact information so that domain updates and renewals are handled quickly and efficiently:

1. You will receive account login information when you register the domain. File this information, because you WILL need it at some point down the road. In fact, providing this information to TOPS Web Support at websupport@topssoft.com will ensure that your domain account information remains with your web site regardless of management or board changes in your community.
2. When you register the domain, you give it an email address to send information to. Make sure that you either always check this account or give an account that you know you will have and check 2-3 years from now. This email address will receive the renewal notices and information you need to prevent the domain from expiring.
3. If you make any changes to your contact information (moving addresses, changing phone numbers, changing emails) make sure to update this by logging in to your domain account. You should receive instructions on how to do this from the registrar company when you register the domain.
   

By: Tasha Williams Beard
Production/Support Manager
AtHomeNet, Inc.

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