Glossary · 35 terms
EPP, SPF, TTL… all in plain English.
Terms you come across when buying a domain or tinkering with DNS settings. Each entry answers a question and shows how to check it on your own domain.
Basics
- Domain nameThe human-readable form of your address on the internet, like markan.com.tr.Read →
- Extension (TLD)The part of an address after the last dot: .com, .com.tr, .tr, .org.Read →
- WHOISThe public record showing who a domain is registered to, when it was registered and when it expires.Read →
- RDAPThe modern, machine-readable version of WHOIS.Read →
- Domain ageThe time since a domain was first registered.Read →
- RegistrarThe accredited company that registers the domain at the registry on your behalf.Read →
- IDN and PunycodeThe technical form of domain names with Turkish characters: çiçek.com → xn--iek-jma84c.com.Read →
- 301 redirectPermanently sending one address to another; carries over SEO value too.Read →
- Parking pageA simple intro or "coming soon" page shown on a domain that doesn't have a site yet.Read →
DNS and records
- DNSThe internet's phone book, turning domain names into IP addresses.Read →
- NameserverThe address that sets where a domain's DNS records are kept: ns1.ornek.com.Read →
- A recordThe record that points a domain to an IPv4 address.Read →
- CNAME recordA record that makes one name an alias of another: www → markan.github.io.Read →
- TXT recordA DNS record holding free text; SPF, DMARC and verification codes live here.Read →
- TTLHow long, in seconds, a DNS record is kept in cache.Read →
- DNS propagationThe time it takes for a DNS change to reach resolvers around the world.Read →
- MX recordThe record that says which server incoming email for the domain is delivered to.Read →
- SPFThe TXT record that lists which servers may send email in your name.Read →
- DKIMA method that digitally signs outgoing emails, proving the content wasn't changed in transit.Read →
- DMARCThe policy that decides what the recipient does when SPF and DKIM fail.Read →
Security
- CAA recordLimits which certificate authorities can issue SSL for the domain.Read →
- SSL / TLS certificateThe padlock icon in your browser: it encrypts traffic and verifies the site's identity.Read →
- HTTPSThe encrypted form of web traffic; shown by the padlock icon in the address bar.Read →
- WHOIS privacyKeeps your name, phone and email out of the public record.Read →
- Transfer lockProtection that stops a domain from being moved to another provider without permission.Read →
- DNSSECThe layer that cryptographically verifies DNS answers weren't altered in transit.Read →
- PortThe number identifying which service listens on a server: 443 for HTTPS, 587 for sending email.Read →
Transfer and term
- EPP code (transfer code)The password proving ownership, needed when moving a domain to another provider.Read →
- Domain transferMoving a domain from one registrar to another.Read →
- RenewalExtending a domain's term; this is where the real cost shows up, not in the first year.Read →
- Grace periodThe short window after expiry when you can still renew the domain at the normal price.Read →
- Redemption periodThe last and most expensive stage at which you can recover an expired domain.Read →
- Pending deletion (pendingDelete)The last few days before a domain is deleted for good.Read →