Domain, DNS and Hosting Are Three Different Purchases

Domain, DNS and Hosting Are Three Different Purchases An architecture diagram generated by Archify. Visitor · types your name · Architecture component Visitor types your name Registrar · Namecheap, Porkbun · Name layer: what people type · rented yearly Registrar Namecheap, Porkbun rented yearly DNS Zone · the record list · Name layer: what people type · free to change DNS Zone the record list free to change Web Host · stores the site files · Service layer: what actually runs · monthly Web Host stores the site files monthly Email Host · Google Workspace · Service layer: what actually runs · separate bill Email Host Google Workspace separate bill SSL Certificate · makes it HTTPS · Service layer: what actually runs · usually free SSL Certificate makes it HTTPS usually free looks up the name points nameservers here A record sends web traffic MX record sends email proves the site is yours Name layer: what people type Service layer: what actually runs Legend Backend Cloud Security External

The Name

  • • A domain is rented from a registrar, never owned outright
  • • Miss the renewal and someone else can take it
  • • The registrar only decides which nameservers answer for the name

The Address Book

  • • DNS is a list of records, not a place your site lives
  • • Changing a record moves traffic without moving any files
  • • Website and email are pointed separately, by different records

The Actual Server

  • • Hosting is the disk and the machine that serves the files
  • • You can change host and keep the same domain forever
  • • The certificate belongs to the host, not to the registrar