Difference between domain and DNS zone

This guide explains how a domain name and a DNS zone work.

3 basics to understand

1. When you browse a website like https://www.abc123.xyz for example, abc123.xyz is the domain name
   
   
2. Each domain name has DNS (Domain Name System), which allows indicating where (with which provider, for example) the DNS zone
   
   
3. The DNS zone then allows entrusting the management of different services related to the domain name to different providers. For a single domain name, it is for example possible to entrust Web hosting to provider X (via the "A" record) and Mail Service to provider Y (via the "MX" record)

In the case of Infomaniak, the DNS are generally in the form of nsXX.infomaniak.com and nsXX.infomaniak.com (XX like 11 or 12 for example). You can change the DNS of your domain name, as well as modify the "inside" of these DNS, i.e., modify the DNS zone of a domain name.

Administratively speaking

• Each domain name is reserved and managed by a registrar. For example, Infomaniak is a registrar, one of the cheapest in Switzerland
• The DNS of a domain name are configured with the registrar who manages the domain name
• The DNS zone can be managed by the registrar or another provider
• Web hosting and Mail Service can be handled by any hosting provider

In the most complex case, it is possible to have 1 different provider for the following services: domain name registration and DNS management, DNS zone management, Web hosting, Mail Service.

As a registrar and hosting provider, Infomaniak can handle the management of all these services. It's the simplest solution.

For your information:

• an MX record allows to point a domain name (domain.xyz for example) to a mail server
• an A record allows to point a domain name (domain.xyz for example) or a subdomain (example.domain.xyz for example) to a web server with a static IP address (otherwise you would have to constantly edit the A record to enter the new IP address - read this guide (click here) about this)

Some possible situations

Examples and fictitious names

etc.