Top-level domain | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is a fundamental part of internet^[2] addresses, known as domain names. TLDs are the highest level of domain hierarchy, situated after the last dot in the domain name^[1]. They’re categorized into various types: Infrastructure TLD (ARPA), Generic TLDs (gTLD), Generic restricted TLDs (grTLD), Sponsored TLDs (sTLD), and Country-code TLDs (ccTLD). Each type has specific uses and is managed by different entities accredited by ICANN. The Internationalized country code TLDs permit domain names in native languages or scripts. Additionally, there are Reserved Domains, set aside for specific purposes. Proposed and Rejected Domains are addressed during ICANN meetings, with some approved and others rejected due to potential conflicts. Dotless Domains and New TLDs are other aspects of the TLD system. Pseudo-Domains are labels used by some networks for email^[3] exchange. This text also references additional information on TLDs.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ domain name. A domain name is a text-based label that identifies internet resources such as computers and services. It serves as an indicator of ownership or control over a resource and provides an easily recognizable name for these resources. In structure, a domain name is made up of concatenated labels separated by dots, arranged in a descending hierarchy from right to left. Each label can contain 1 to 63 octets and the overall domain name should not exceed 253 ASCII characters. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates these domain names into IP addresses, helping to distribute web traffic across different servers. Domain names are organized into a tree structure, with Top-Level Domains (TLDs) such as .com, .org, .net at the highest level. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees the allocation of TLDs and accredits domain registrars. Domain names can also be internationalized, with many registries adopting the Internationalized domain name (IDNA) system approved by ICANN. The domain name industry is subject to cyber threats like spoofing, but measures are in place for protection.

2. ↑ internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use standardized communication protocols, primarily the TCP/IP, to link devices worldwide. Originating from the term 'internetted' used in 1849, the term 'Internet' was later used by the US War Department in 1945. Its development began with computer scientists creating time-sharing systems in the 1960s and further progressed with the establishment of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet is self-governed, without a central authority, and its principal name spaces are administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It has significantly transformed traditional communication media and has grown exponentially over the years, with internet users increasing 20% to 50% annually. In 2019, over half of the world population used the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, which includes TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, guides internet packets to their destinations. Essential services like email and Internet telephony operate on the Internet. The World Wide Web, a global collection of interconnected documents, is a key component of the Internet.

Glossary

Top-level domain (Wikipedia)

Examples of the over 1,500 TLDs
Example domain	Type	Sponsoring institution
`.arpa`	Infrastructure	Internet Architecture Board; restricted^{[clarification needed]}
`.blue`	Generic	Identity Digital Limited; unrestricted^{[clarification needed]}
`.ovh`	Generic	OVH SAS; run by AFNIC, unrestricted
`.name`	Restricted generic	VeriSign Information Services, Inc.; unrestricted
`.ac`	Country-code	Internet Computer Bureau; unrestricted
`.zw`	Country-code	Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe;run by TelOne Zimbabwe; unrestricted
`.aero`	Sponsored	Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques; unrestricted
`.ไทย`	Internationalized country-code	THNIC

A top-level domain (TLD) is one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet after the root domain. The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. For all domains in lower levels, it is the last part of the domain name, that is, the last non empty label of a fully qualified domain name. For example, in the domain name www.example.com, the top-level domain is .com. Responsibility for management of most top-level domains is delegated to specific organizations by the ICANN, an Internet multi-stakeholder community, which operates the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), and is in charge of maintaining the DNS root zone.

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