The main difference between hostname and domain name is that the hostname refers to the network that is used to direct a user to a certain website while a domain name refers to the website the user is accessing.
The World Wide Web (WWW) consists of thousands of websites. Each website should have a domain name obtained from a domain registrar to make it appear on the web. A domain name is a string that helps the user to identify and visit the website. It is better to use creative domain names that define the website. The hostname is the network that takes the users to the website. In www.google.com, the www is the hostname while google.com is the domain name. The combination of hostname and the domain name is considered as the fully qualified domain name.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Hostname
– Definition, Examples
2. What is Domain Name
– Definition, Examples
3. Difference Between Hostname and Domain Name
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hostname, Domain Name, Internet
What is Hostname
The hostname helps to identify the network that directs the user to a certain website. When the user visits a website or a web page, the web address or the location appears on top of the web browser. This web address is also called the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). An example URL is as follows.
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-class-diagram-and-object-diagram/
Consider the section www.differencebetween.com. The section www is the hostname. It specifies the network to visit the website differencebetween.com.
More examples are as follows.
www.google.com – The “www” is the hostname
pcsupport.about.com – The “pcsupport” is the hostname
images.google.com – The “images” is the hostname
www.microsoft.com – The “www” is the hostname.
What is Domain Name
Domain name is necessary to make the website visible to the visitors. It is a piece of string that helps to identify the website. It is not practical for the visitors to remembers the IP addresses. Therefore, it is easy to use a domain names to access the required website instantly.
An individual or an organization can obtain a domain name for their website from a domain name registrar. After the user pays the fee for a certain period of time, that domain name belongs to him. When that time period is over, the user can pay again and renew it. If the user avoids paying the fee, the domain name will be available to some other user.
Figure 2: Domain Name Extensions
In http://pediaa.com, “pediaa.com” is the domain name. This is the name that helps the visitors to identify this website. This name belongs to the owner of the website. A domain name includes an extension to signify the type of website. The .com refers to a commercial and global website. The .edu refers to an educational website. The .gov extension is used for government organizations, and .org is used for non-profitable organizations.
Difference Between Hostname and Domain Name
Definition
Hostname is a label assigned to a network that transfers the user to a specific website. Domain is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the internet.
Usage
Hostname helps to identify the network that is used to direct the user to a certain website. A domain name helps to identify a certain website.
Conclusion
Hostname and domain name are used interchangeably, but they have a difference. The difference between hostname and domain name is that the hostname refers to the network that directs a user to a certain website while a domain name refers to the website the user is accessing.
Reference:
1. Fisher, Tim. Lifewire, Available here.
2. What Is A Domain Name? | GoDaddy, 21 Dec. 2016, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Domain Name Check” by India7 Network (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “982050” (CC0) via Pixabay
Leave a Reply