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Glossary of Registration-Related Terms


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.ac.ro
A Romanian Top Level domain intended for all Romanian academic and educational institutions. All Romanian universities, colleges, schools, educational service organizations, and educational consortia register here. More recently a decision has been taken to limit further registrations to public schools and state universities. Consistent with its charter to support the higher education community, ISR will pay the fees associated with the education (.AC.RO) domain. This domain has limited access. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]

ACK (Acknowledge)
An acknowledgement (approval) from an authorized point of contact for a domain name record, contact record, or host record that a requested modification should be completed. When a modification request is received from a source that is not an authorized contact, the request will be rejected and a message will be sent to the listed contacts asking them to ACK (approve) or NAK (disapprove) the modification. [see also: NAK (No Acknowledgement), Contact/Agent, Modification]

Additional Servers
Any name servers, aside from the primary and secondary name servers listed on the Domain Name Registration Agreement, that will be available to resolve a particular domain name to its corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) number(s). [see also: Name Server, Primary Server, Secondary Server, Domain Name Registration Agreement]

Administrative Contact/Agent
The administrative contact/agent is an individual or role account authorized to interact with Network Solutions on behalf of the domain name registrant. The administrative contact/agent should be able to answer non-technical questions about the domain name's registration and the domain name registrant. It is strongly recommended that the administrative contact/agent be the registrant or someone from the registrant's organization. [see also: Role Account, Regisrant]
 
 
ASCII-armored
A feature of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), which "encases" an encrypted message in ASCII, allowing the message to be sent via e-mail as a regular message. [see also: Encryption, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)]

Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of an individual or organization. Authentication enables someone to verify that individuals and organizations are who they say they are. Authentication allows the recipient in an electronic transaction to be confident of both the identity of the sender and the integrity of the message.

Authorization
A process used to verify that an individual or organization that has requested an action actually has the right to make the request. Entering a password is an example of authorization.

Autonomous System Number (ASN)
An autonomous system is a group of Internet Protocol (IP) networks that adhere to a single routing policy. An Autonomous System Number (ASN) identifies the autonomous system - networks using the same, specified routing policy - and enables the autonomous system to exchange information with other autonomous systems.

Auto-parser
An automated program that extracts information from the fields in the registration forms. The auto-parser will detect errors or incomplete information in the registration forms. Upon receipt of complete and correct registration forms, the auto-parser enters the appropriate data into Network Solutions' domain name database. [see also: Registration Forms]
 
 
Auto Responder
An automated program that acknowledges receipt of an email message (e.g., a Domain Name Registration Agreement, a question, or some other type of electronic correspondence) and creates a tracking number for the email message. The auto responder sends the acknowledgment via email to the requester; the subject line of the email message will contain the tracking number. [see also: Tracking Number, Domain Name Registration Agreement]




Billing Contact/Agent
The billing contact is the person or role account designated to receive the invoice for domain name registration and renewal fees. The billing contact should be in a position to ensure prompt payment of fees. [see also: Contact/Agent, Invoice, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

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Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
Historically, Internet Protocol (IP) network numbers have been divided into classes, which indicate how many individual hosts, or machines, the network number can support. For example, a Class A IP network number can support 16,777,214 hosts; a Class B IP network number can support 65,532 hosts; and a Class C IP network number can support 254 hosts. Classless Inter-Domain Routing is an addressing and routing scheme that uses a group of contiguous Class C addresses in place of a Class B address. CIDR allows for the aggregation of address space so that routing table size can be kept to a minimum, and also enables the hardware and software that route data between different portions of the Internet to more easily deal with the task. CIDR helps to enable the allocation of IP network numbers in a manner that supports the growing community of network users.

Clear-text Password
The plain text version of an encrypted password. [see also: Encryption, Encrypted Password]

.co.ro
The Romanin Top Level Domain. It is intended for commercial entities, that is companies in general. Anyone can register here. This domain has grown very large but yet,there no is concern about the administrative load and system performance even if the current growth pattern is continued. Nevertheless consideration has beentaken to allow commercial Romanian registrations in other subdomains. [see also: .srl.ro, .sa.ro, Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain ]

Contact/Agent
Contacts/Agents are individuals or groups who represent the registrant on matters related to the registrant's domain name. There are three types of contacts/agents: administrative, technical, and billing. The entity listed as the administrative, technical, or billing contact/agent should be the entity best able to answer questions about that particular aspect of the domain name's registration, and should be authorized to represent the domain name registrant. A contact/agent may be a single person or may be a group or organization where several individuals act in a "role" (e.g., Internet Service Provider Support Center). [see also: Administrative Contact/Agent, Technical Contact/Agent, Billing Contact/Agent, Registrant, Authorization, Role Account]

Contact Form (Contact Template)
The electronic form used to register a new domain name contact/agent or modify information for an existing contact. Formerly referred to as the contact template. [see also: Modification, Contact/Agent ]

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Deactivation
The process of removing a domain name from the zone files for the top level domains. When a domain name is deactivated, the Domain Name System (DNS) will no longer have the information needed to resolve the domain name to its corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) number(s), effectively disabling the domain name as a tool for locating the related computers or organizations. RomNIC refers to this status as being on "Hold." The domain name record, however, remains in the domain name database. [see also: Zone, Zone Files, Domain Name System (DNS) Hold]

Debit Accounts
A payment system for customers who regularly register large numbers of domain names, e.g., Registrars or Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Customers establish a debit account with a minimum deposit, and then as they receive invoices they contact the debit accounts section and request that the invoices be paid from the available account funds. [see also: Internet Service Provider (ISP), Invoice]

Deletion
The process of removing a domain name and its corresponding record from the Domain Name System (DNS) and the domain name database. A deleted domain name cannot be used to locate computers on the Internet and will be made available for other parties to register on a first-come, first-served basis. A domain name may be deleted at the request of the domain name registrant, as a result of non-payment of fees, or due to circumstances particular to individual cases. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Registrant, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

Digital Signature
The digital equivalent of an authentic, handwritten signature. A digital signature is a piece of data attached to an electronic file, asserting that the owner of the digital signature wrote or authorized the file. [see also: Authorization, Authentication]

Domain
A subset of the total domain name space. A domain represents a level of the hierarchy in the Domain Name Space, and is represented by a domain name. For example, the domain name isr.co.ro represents the second level domain isr which is a subset, or sub-domain, of the top level domain co.ro, which is in turn a larger subset of the total Domain Name Space. If you think of the Domain Name Space as a tree, a domain would be analogous to a limb and would encompass all of the branches off of that limb. [see also: Domain Name Space, Second Level Domain, Top Level Domain , Generic Top Level Domain, Third Level Domain, Domain Name]

Domain Name
An addressing construct used for identifying and locating computers on the Internet. Domain names provide a system of easy-to-remember Internet addresses, which can be translated by the Domain Name System (DNS) into the numeric addresses (Internet Protocol (IP) numbers) used by the network. A domain name is hierarchical and often conveys information about the type of entity using the domain name. A domain name is simply a label that represents a domain, which is a subset of the total domain name space. Domain names at the same level of the hierarchy must be unique, for example there can be only one com at the top level of the hierarchy, and only one isr. co.ro at the next level of the hierarchy. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS)]

Domain Name Disputes
Disputes that arise over conflicting positions as to who has the right to register a specific domain name. Disputes often occur when a domain name that is the same, or similar to, a valid registered trademark is registered by a party that is not the owner of the registered trademark. A central factor in domain name disputes is the fact that domain names at the same level of the hierarchy must be unique. [see also: Trademark, Domain Name, Domain Name Dispute Policy]

Domain Name Registration Agreement
The legally binding contract between ISR, the registrar for domains, and the individual or organization applying for a domain name. The Domain Name Registration Agreement must be completed and submitted electronically to register a new domain name with ISR. The Domain Name Registration Agreement is also the form used to update information in a domain name record. [see also: Modification]

Domain Name Space
An Internet addressing scheme that is hierarchical in nature and uses a "tree" structure to organize information that describes networks and computers. The domain name space is the sum total of domain names that currently represent networks and computers, as well as all of the possible domain names - not yet in use - which may potentially represent networks and computers. Also, the realm of networks, computers, and other network devices that can be described and represented by the Domain Name System (DNS). [see also: Domain Name, Domain Name System (DNS)]

Domain Name System (DNS)
A distributed database of information that is used to translate domain names, which are easy for humans to remember and use, into Internet Protocol (IP) numbers, which are what computers need to find each other on the Internet. People working on computers around the globe maintain their specific portion of this database, and the data held in each portion of the database is made available to all computers and users on the Internet. The DNS comprises computers, data files, software, and people working together.

dot or "."
The top of the hierarchy in the Domain Name System (DNS). [See Root]

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Encryption
The process of scrambling, or encoding, information in an effort to guarantee that only the intended recipient can read the information.

Error Codes
At ISR, standard codes that are used to indicate common errors in the Domain Name Registration Agreement, the contact form, or the host form that prevent the processing of the Domain Name Registration Agreement or forms. [see also: Domain Name Registration Agreement, Registration Forms, Host Form]

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Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD)
Generic Top Level Domains are the most predominant and recognizable domains on the Internet. Also known as organizational domains, Generic Top Level Domains are organized according to function, and location. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Root, Domain Name, Top Level Domain]

Guide to Registration Forms
A guide on ISR's RomNIC Registration Services Web site [http://rs.romnic.net/] designed to help individuals and organizations choose the correct form (template) for registering and updating domain name records, contact records, host records and establishing a debit account with Network Solutions Registration Services. Debit Account, Contact Form, Host Form, Domain Name Registration Agreement]

.gu.ro
A Romanian Top Level domain this domain is intended for Romanian government offices or agencies. More recently consideration has been taken to register only agencies of the Romanian federal government in this domain. Consistent with its charter to support the public Internet community in Romania, ISR will pay the fees associated with this domain. This domain has limited access. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]

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Hold
A status code for a domain name indicating that the domain name is no longer included in the zone files for the top level domain. [See Deactivation]

Host (Name Server)
At ISR, the term is most often used to refer to name servers, the computers that have both the software and the data required to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. [See Name Server]

Host Form (Host Template)
The electronic form used to register a new host (name server) or modify information for an existing host. Formerly referred to as the Host Template. [See also: Host (Name Server)]

Hostmaster
A role account established by ISR to handle email related to domain name registrations with RomNIC. Hostmaster also is a term commonly used by other organizations for role accounts that handle email related to network administration responsibilities. [see also: Role Account]

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Inverse Address Resolution (IN-ADDR)
The process used to resolve Internet Protocol (IP) number(s) to their corresponding domain name(s), as opposed to the more familiar type of resolution that starts with a domain name and translates it into the corresponding IP numbers. The Domain Name System (DNS) was designed to translate domain names into IP numbers; to enable an IP number to be translated to a domain name, both the domain name and its corresponding IP number(s) must be registered in a special domain - in-addr.arpa - using the IN-ADDR registration form. This means that the IP address 198.41.0.52 would be listed as 52.0.41.198 in the in-addr.arpa domain, so that when read from left to right it moves from specific to general in the hierarchy, the same way that domain names do. Inverse address resolution can be helpful when using tools such as log files, because it enables the Internet Protocol (IP) number(s) logged by the network and computers to be related to the corresponding domain names, which are more easily recognized by humans. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS)]

Interactive Voice Response System
A automated voice system that will allow our customers to pay for their domain name registration and renewal fees 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling a toll free number and providing their credit card information to the system over the phone. The Interactive Voice Response System will be available toll free to customers in the Romania; outside of Romania the system is available via a toll call (scheduled for 2001). [see also: Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

Internet Protocol (IP) Numbers (IP addresses)
A unique, numeric identifier used to specify hosts and networks. Internet Protocol (IP) numbers are part of a global, standardized scheme for identifying machines that are connected to the Internet. Technically speaking, IP numbers are 32 bit addresses that consist of eight octets, and they are expressed as four numbers between 0 and 255, separated by periods, for example: 194.78.184.38.

Internet Pioneer
The Internet Pioneer project provides current awareness tools and information about Internet resources and network tools. The project originated as an activity under the Romanian Network and Science Foundation cooperative agreement that created RomNIC, and was further developed as part of the RomNIC Information and Education Services cooperative agreement operated by ISR. [see also: RomNIC , RomNIC Information and Education Services]

Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A person, organization, or company that provides access to the Internet. In addition to Internet access, many ISPs provide other services such as Web hosting, Domain Name Service, and other proprietary services. [see also: Name Service]

Invoice
The bill for a domain name registration or renewal fee. Invoices are sent to the billing contact via email. [see also: Billing Contact/Agent, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

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Key-ring
A pair of keys that consists of both a public key and its corresponding private key. Key-rings are used in public-key encryption systems such as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). Data encrypted with someone's public key can only be decrypted with the corresponding private key, and vice versa. Key-rings are associated with an encryption system known as Pretty Good Privacy (PGP). [see also: Encryption, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)]

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Lame Delegation
Listing a host (name server) that does not contain a Start of Authority (SOA) record for a domain name on a Domain Name Registration Agreement. [see also: Start of Authority (SOA) Record, Domain Name Registration Agreement, Host (Name Server)]

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Mail-from
One of the authentication schemes used by ISR. In the mail-from scheme, the email address that is used to send a modification request is compared to the email addresses that are on file for the individuals or organizations who are listed as authorized points of contact for the domain name, the contact, or the host. [see also: Authentication, Authorization, Modification, Contact/Agent, Guardian]

Maintenance
The processing, research, support, and administration involved in creating domain name records, contact records, and host records. Maintenance includes, but is not limited to, posting changes to these records as they are submitted; keeping ISR's database of domain, contact, and host information updated; and ensuring that the zone files for the top level domain servers reflect current information. [see also: Zone File, Modification, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

Manual
Not automated; processed by humans.

Manual Queue
The log of Domain Name Registration Agreements, contact forms, and host forms that require human review because they cannot be automatically processed due to errors or incomplete information. [see also: Registration Forms, Domain Name Registration Agreement, Contact Form, Host Form]

.mil.ro
This domain is intended for the Romanian military. ISR will pay the fees associated with this domain. This domain has limited access. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]

Modification
The process of updating an existing domain name record or contact record to reflect changes in existing information. Modifications include: changing information on an existing contact record; replacing an existing contact on a domain name record with a new contact; changing the name servers listed on an existing domain name record; changing information about the organization who registered a domain name (there are some cases when changes in the organization's name may require a new, separate registration). There is no additional charge to modify an existing domain or contact. Keeping these records up to date is critical to the smooth operation of the Domain Name System (DNS), and it is the responsibility of the registrant to ensure that domain name record(s) are kept up to date. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Registrant, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

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NAK (No Acknowledgement)
An "negative" acknowledgement (disapproval) from an authorized point of contact for a domain name record or contact record, that a requested modification should not be completed. When a modification request is received from a source that is not an authorized contact, the request will be rejected and a message will be sent to the listed contacts asking them to ACK (approve) or NAK (disapprove) the modification. [see also: ACK (Acknowledge), Modification, Contact/Agent]

Name Server
Also called a host or a name server. A computer that has both the software and the data (zone files) needed to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. [see also: Host (Name Server), Zone File, Resolve]

Name Service
Providing individuals or organizations with domain name-to-Internet Protocol (IP) number resolution by maintaining and making available the hardware, software, and data needed to perform this function. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operate name servers and provide their customers with name service when they register a domain name. Most individuals are not in a position to operate a name server on their own and will need to make arrangements for name service with an ISP or some other person or organization. [see also: Resolve, Internet Service Provider (ISP), Name Server]

.ne.ro
A Romanian Top Level domain intended to hold only the computers of Romanian network providers, that is the NIC and NOC computers, the administrative computers, and the network node computers. The customers of the network provider would have domain names of their own (not in the NE.RO TLD). [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain ]

ISR's Domain Name Dispute Policy
The policy established by ISR to provide for actions ISR may take when presented with evidence that, on its face, alleges that the legal rights of a trademark owner are harmed as the result of a violation of the trademark owner's intellectual property rights. By submitting a Domain Name Registration Agreement , each domain name registrant agrees to be bound by this policy. [see also: Domain Name Registration Agreement, Registrant, Trademark]

NIC Handle
A NIC Handle is a unique identifier, assigned to each domain name record, contact record, and network record in the domain name database. NIC handles should be used on registration forms whenever possible, as they save time and help to ensure accuracy in the records. [see also: Registration Forms]

Notification
At ISR, the process of informing individuals and organizations who are listed as authorized points of contact on a domain name record or contact record that the registry has received a request to modify information in one of the records with which the authorized contacts are associated. All notifications are sent via email to the email addresses that are on file with ISR for the authorized points of contact. The notification process provides each authorized point of contact with the opportunity to acknowledge the requested modification with the response "ACK" or to refuse to acknowledge the requested modification, with the response "NAK." Notification is intended to keep all those involved with a domain name or host informed of actions that can affect the operation and functioning of the name or host. [see also: ACK (Acknowledge), NAK (No Acknowledgement), Contact/Agent, Modification, Host (Name Server)]

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.or.ro
A Romanian Top Level domain intended as the miscellaneous TLD for Romanian organizations that didn't fit into any of the other subdomains of .ro. This includes : charities, trades unions, political parties, community groups, educational councils, professional institutions, etc. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]

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Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
A commonly used encryption system, invented by Phillip Zimmerman. PGP is based on public key encryption, and is one of the authentication schemes available through Network Solutions' Guardian plan. [see also: Encryption, Guardian, Authentication]

PGP Public Key Server
A database of information that can be queried to find someone's public key. [see also: Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)]

Primary Server
On ISR's Domain Name Registration Agreement, the section where the registrant indicates the host name and Internet Protocol (IP) number of the name server that will contain authoritative information for the domain name and will be used to resolve that domain name to its corresponding IP number(s). The designation of "primary" means that this name server will be used first and will be relied upon before any of the other name servers that may be listed on the Domain Name Registration Agreement. The primary server section of the Agreement is a required section and the domain name registration will not be processed unless this section of the Domain Name Registration Agreement is completed properly. [See also: Secondary Server; Additional Servers; Host (Name Server), Name Server, Domain Name Registration Agreement]

Private Key Encryption
An encryption method in which both the sender and recipient of a message share a single, common key that is used to both encrypt and decrypt the message. [see also: Encryption]

Public Key Encryption
An encryption method that uses the concept of a key-ring. The key-ring has two keys - a public key that is made available to everyone and a private, or secret, key that is known only by the private key holder. The public and private keys are designed to work together. Anyone can use the public key to encrypt data, but only the person w ith the corresponding private key can decrypt the data; this helps to protect the con tent of messages. Alternatively, anyone can use the public key to decrypt data, but only if it was encrypted with the corresponding private key; this helps to ensure the identity of the person sending the data. Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a type of Pub lic Key Encryption. [see also: Encryption, Key-Ring, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)]

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Registrant
The individual or organization that registers a specific domain name with ISR. This individual or organization holds the right to use that specific domain name for a specified period of time, provided certain conditions are met and the registration fees are paid. This person or organization is the "legal entity" bound by the terms of the domain name Domain Name Registration Agreement. [see also: Domain Name Registration Agreement, Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

Registration
The process through which individuals and organizations obtain a domain name. Registration of a domain name enables the individual or organization to use that particular domain name for a specified period of time, provided certain conditions are met and payment for services is made. Registering of a new domain name with ISR is accomplished by completing and submitting the Domain Name Registration Agreement, thereby agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the then existing Domain Name Registration Agreement, including the Domain Name Dispute Policy, and paying the registration fee. [see also: Registrant, Registration Fee, Domain Name Registration Agreement, Network Solutions' Domain Name Dispute Policy]

Registration Fee
The charge for registering a domain name. ISR's registration fee covers the cost of processing the initial registration and maintaining the domain name record for the period choosen upon registration. After the initial period, the domain name is subject to renewal and the renewal fees will be due if the registrant wishes to renew the domain name's registration. [see also: Registration, Maintenance, Renewal, Renewal Fee, Domain Name]

Registration Forms
Forms that are used to submit and process registration requests. These forms, which include the Domain Name Registration Agreement, are used to register new domain names, new contacts for domain names as well as to update do main name or contact records. There are both Web versions and plain text (ASCII) versions of the forms. [see also: Domain Name Registration Agreement, Host Form, Contact Form, Guide to Registration Forms]

Registry
A registry is responsible for delegating Internet addresses such as Internet Protocol (IP) numbers and domain names, and keeping a record of those addresses and the informat ion associated with their delegation. Examples of regional IP registries include Reseaux IP Europeens (RIPE), Asian-Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), and the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). Examples of domain name registries include ISR's RomNIC operation and Network Solutions (.com, .net, and .org) . [see also: RomNIC Registration Services]

Renewal
The process of reinitiating a domain name's registration for a specified period of time. Renewing an existing domain name with ISR is accomplished by simply paying the renewal fee which covers continued registration and maintenance, and agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the then existing Domain Name Registration Agreement, including the Domain Name Dispute Policy. [see also: Domain Name Registration Agreement, Network Solutions' Domain Name Dispute Policy, Renewal Fee, Maintenance]

Renewal Fee
The charge for renewing an existing domain name registration. It covers one year of maintenance for the domain name record. Domain name renewal fees are assessed each year on the anniversary of the original registration. [see also: Renewal, Registration, Maintenance]

Renewal Notice
A notice sent to registrants 60 days before the anniversary of their registration date to let them know that their domain name will be due for renewal and that an invoice will be sent for the renewal fees. [See also: Renewal, Renewal Fees, Invoice]

Request For Comments (RFCs)
The official document series of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that discusses many aspects of computing and computer communication focusing on networking and Internet protocols, procedures, programs, and concepts. All Internet protocols are written up as RFCs, but not all RFCs describe Internet standards. [see also: Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)]

Resolve
The term used to describe the process by which domain names are matched with corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. "Resolution" is accomplished by a combination of computers and software, referred to as name servers, which use the data in the Domain Name System to determine which IP numbers correspond to a particular domain name. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Name Server]

Role Account
A group name under which more than one individual may perform a specific function. For example, "Hostmaster" is the role under which several people at ISR handle incoming email related to domain registrations. Role accounts are typically used to prevent a critical function - for example, handling incoming email about domain name registrations - from being tied to a particular individual.

RomNIC
The name given to a project that originated and operates under a cooperative agreement. Under this agreement, Internet Service Romania, S.A. provides domain name registration service; information and education services; and directory and database services. [see also: RomNIC Directory and Database Services, RomNIC Information and Education Services, RomNIC Registration Services]

RomNIC Directory and Database Services
A Romanian Network and Science Foundation (NSF) cooperative agreement awarded to and operated by ISR Database and Directory services provides:
  • Directory of Directories, containing lists of FTP sites, servers, white and yellow page directories, library catalogs and data archives.
  • White and yellow pages-type Directory Services.

[see also: RomNIC]

RomNIC Information and Education Services
One of several cooperative agreements awarded in 1997 by the Romanian Network and Science Foundation (NSF). Starting from 1999, RomNIC Information and Education Services will be funded and operated by ISR under the terms of its cooperative agreement to provide registration services. Internet Pioneer, a project presently funded by the Romanian Network and Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by the University of Constanta, will be part of the RomNIC Information and Education Services cooperative agreement, and will be subsequently funded and further developed by ISR. Information and Education Services provides various tools and resources for the Internet community. [see also: RomNIC, Internet Pioneer]

RomNIC Registration Services
A cooperative agreement awarded to and operated by Internet Service Romania, S.A.. Registration Services administers the registration of second level domain names under the Romanian generic toplevel domains. [see also: RomNIC]

Root
The top of the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. Often referred to as the "dot." [see dot or ".", Domain Name System (DNS)]

Root server
A machine that has the software and data needed to locate name servers that contain authoritative data for the top level domains. The root servers are, in fact, name servers and contain authoritative data for the very top of the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. Currently, technical specifications limit the number of root servers to 13. These machines are located around the globe, in the U.S., the U.K., Sweden, and Japan. [see also: Root, Top Level Domain , Generic Top Level Domain, Name Server, Domain Name System (DNS)]

RWhois
A protocol under development at ISR that helps find domain names and other network data on a large number of servers, rather than on just one server. RWhois is a directory services protocol which extends and enhances the Whois protocol in an effort to provide a scaleable, decentralized, and efficient means of storing an d retrieving information related to hosts, network information systems, and the individuals associated with those systems. Borrowing from earlier established Internet protocols, other directory service efforts, and the architecture of the Domain Name Syst em (DNS), RWhois uses the hierarchical nature of the information related to network "objects" (domains, Internet Protocol (IP) numbers, hosts, people) to provide the shortest and most efficient path between network data and the person who needs it. [see also: Whois, Domain Name System (DNS),]

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.sa.ro
This domain is intended for commercial entities, that are in the legal form of a S.A. ("Societate pe Actiuni"). One of the Romanian generic top level domains. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]


 

Second Level Domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the next highest level of the hierarchy underneath the top level or generic top level domains. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears immediately to the left of the top level domain. For example, the isr in isr.co.ro. Second level domain names are often descriptive and have come to be used increasingly to represent businesses and other commercial concerns on the Internet. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]

Secondary Server
On ISR's Domain Name Registration Agreement, the section where the registrant indicates the hostname and Internet Protocol (IP) number of a name serv r that will contain authoritative data for the domain name being registered and will resolve that domain name to its corresponding IP number(s). The designation of "secondary" indicates that the name server will be used in addition to and as a backup for the primary name server that is listed on the Domain Name Registration Agreement. [see also: Primary Server, Domain Name Registration Agreement, Name Server, Resolve]

Secure Online Payment System
A system that allows ISR's customers to pay for their domain name registration and renewal fees 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by entering their credit card information directly via the Web. The system provides a fast and secure method of payment and requires that the customer have a browser that will support Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). [see also: Registration Fee, Renewal Fee]

SPECIAL
A status code for a domain name indicating that payment resolution for the domain name registration is "pending." The SPECIAL status is generally used when there is a problem applying a payment to a domain name: e.g., a wrong invoice number, a misspelled name, or other problem that delays processing payment. Domain names that are on SPECIAL status are active - still in the Domain Name System (DNS) - and will not be deactivated unless the problems cannot be resolved. [see also: Registration Fee, Renewal Fee, Domain Name System (DNS)]

.srl.ro
This domain is intended for commercial entities, that are in the legal form of a S.R.L. ("Societate cu Rãspundere Limitata"). One of the Romanian generic top level domains. [see also: Top Level Domain, Generic Top Level Domain]
 

Start of Authority (SOA) Resource Record

A type of record used in the distributed database that is the Domain Name System (DNS) to indicate that a particular name server contains authoritative data for a particular domain. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Name Server]

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Third Level Domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the next highest level of the hierarchy underneath the second level domains. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears two segments to the left of the top level domain. For example, the website in website.firma-mea.co.ro. Third level domains are not the portion of an email address that appears in front of the @ symbol - for example, the webmaster in webmaster@isr.co.ro is not a third level domain. [see also: Second Level Domain, Top Level Domain , Generic Top Level Domain, Domain Name System (DNS)]

Top Level Domain (TLD)
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the highest level of the hierarchy after the root. In a domain name, that portion of the domain name that appears furthest to the right. For example, the co.ro in isr.co.ro. The co.ro. is a gTLD (generic top level domain) for Romania. [see also: Domain Name System (DNS), Root, Domain Name, Generic Top Level Domain]

Technical Contact/Agent
The technical contact is the person or organization who maintains the primary domain name server. The technical contact should be able to answer technical questions about the domain name's primary domain name server and work with technically-oriented people in other domains to solve technical problems that affect the domain name. [see also: Contact/Agent, Primary Server]

Thawte Server Digital ID
Server Digital IDs are used in much the same way that a business license or articles of incorporation are used in the real world to provide verification of an organization's identity to the people with whom the organization does business. Thawte Server Digital IDs, which are the IDs available from Thawte, Inc., are used by organizations wanting to authenticate Web sites, establish secure sessions and enable vertical applications su ch as Internet Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Digital IDs make it possible for a Web site to assure visitors of its true identity, enabling users to avoid fraudulent or spoofed Web sites. Digital IDs for servers also enable Web sites to establish secure sessions with visitors - a private connection over the Internet that cannot be penetrated by external parties. Internet Service Romania, S.A. uses a Thawte Digital ID to protect many sensitive online processes, especially (but not limited to) credit card payments made via https://www.nic.ro/payments/ [see also: Authentication]

Tracking Number
The reference number assigned to an email message when the email message is received by ISR at the hostmaster@romnic.net address. The tracking number has the following format: [RomNIC-YYMMDD.####], where YYMMDD represent the year, month, and date that the acknowledgment is sent, and #### is the unique number assigned to that particular request. The tracking number can be used to check on the status of a registration request as well as payment status for a domain name. [see also: Auto Responder, Hostmaster]

Trademark
A word, phrase, graphic image, or other symbol used to represent a business, commercial, or other organization. Trademarks are used to identify the organization to the public and to consumers and are intended to identify the organization's products and services as well. To be recognized as a trademark, the word, phrase, graphic image, or symbol must be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (in the United States), with the OSIM (in Romania) or, in the case of other countries, with the appropriate authority for that country.

 

Transfer
The process of changing the party who is listed as the domain name registrant. The party taking over the domain name is responsible for paying a new registration fee. Domain name transfers are processed using the Registrant Name Change Agreement. [see also: Registrant, Registration Fee]

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VeriSign Server Digital ID
Server Digital IDs are used in much the same way that a business license or articles of incorporation are used in the real world to provide verification of an organization's identity to the people with whom the organization does business. VeriSign Server Digital IDs, which are the IDs available from VeriSign, Inc., are used by organizations wanting to authenticate Web sites, establish secure sessions and enable vertical applications su ch as Internet Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Digital IDs make it possible for a Web site to assure visitors of its true identity, enabling users to avoid fraudulent or spoofed Web sites. Digital IDs for servers also enable Web sites to establish secure sessions with visitors - a private connection over the Internet that cannot be penetrated by external parties. The Server Digital IDs provided by VeriSign, Inc. are backed by information from sources such as Dun & Bradstreet. [see also: Authentication]

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Whois
A searchable database maintained, which contains information about networks, networking organizations, domain names, and the contacts associated with them for top level domains. Also, the protocol, or set of rules, that describes the application used to access the database. Other organizations have implemented the Whois protocol and maintain separate and distinct Whois databases for their respective domains.

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Zone
A portion of the total domain name space that is represented by the data stored on a particular name server. The name server has authority over the zone - or the particular portion of the domain name space - described by that data. [see also: Zone File, Name Server, Domain Name Space]

Zone File
A file that contains data describing a portion of the domain name space. Zone files contain the information needed to resolve domain names to Internet Protocol (IP) numbers. [see also: Zone, Domain Name Space, Resolve]

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