Hosting Domain & DNS Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'domain propagation' in web hosting?
- The process of registering a new domain
- The time it takes for updated DNS records to spread across all DNS servers worldwide (Correct answer)
- The renewal of a domain registration
- The transfer of a domain between registrars
Correct answer: The time it takes for updated DNS records to spread across all DNS servers worldwide
Domain propagation is the time required for updated DNS records to be updated and distributed across all DNS resolvers and servers worldwide, typically taking 24–48 hours.
Question 2: What are 'nameservers' in domain hosting?
- The web servers that host your website files
- DNS servers that store all DNS records for a domain and answer DNS queries for it (Correct answer)
- Email servers for your domain
- FTP servers for uploading website files
Correct answer: DNS servers that store all DNS records for a domain and answer DNS queries for it
Nameservers are specialized DNS servers that store all DNS records for a domain and respond to queries, directing traffic to the correct web, email, and other servers.
Question 3: What is a 'subdomain' in web hosting?
- A second domain name purchased separately
- A prefix added to the root domain creating a separate address (e.g., blog.example.com) (Correct answer)
- A domain registered in a different country
- A domain with no www prefix
Correct answer: A prefix added to the root domain creating a separate address (e.g., blog.example.com)
A subdomain is an extension prefixed to the root domain (e.g., blog.example.com or shop.example.com) that can point to different servers or directories than the main domain.
Question 4: What does 'domain locking' protect against?
- Unauthorized website changes
- Unauthorized domain transfers to another registrar without owner approval (Correct answer)
- Domain expiration
- DNS cache poisoning
Correct answer: Unauthorized domain transfers to another registrar without owner approval
Domain locking (Registrar Lock) prevents unauthorized domain transfers by requiring the lock to be disabled before a transfer to another registrar can be initiated.
Question 5: What is WHOIS in the context of domain registration?
- A web analytics tool
- A public database that shows ownership and contact information for registered domain names (Correct answer)
- A type of SSL certificate
- A domain availability checker only
Correct answer: A public database that shows ownership and contact information for registered domain names
WHOIS is a public database that stores and displays registration information for domain names including owner contact details, registration date, expiry date, and registrar.
Question 6: What is 'DNSSEC' and why is it important for US hosting customers?
- A backup DNS service
- A security extension that adds digital signatures to DNS records to prevent DNS spoofing and cache poisoning (Correct answer)
- A faster DNS resolution protocol
- A domain privacy protection service
Correct answer: A security extension that adds digital signatures to DNS records to prevent DNS spoofing and cache poisoning
DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) adds cryptographic digital signatures to DNS records, allowing resolvers to verify the authenticity of responses and prevent attackers from redirecting traffic.
Hosting Domain & DNS Management 2
What is 'domain propagation' in web hosting?