To buy a website, you must first buy a domain name. For example, if you want to buy “website.com”, the “website.com” is the domain name of the website. Instead of using complex and long IP addresses, you can use a simple alphanumeric name to access the website. A domain registrar is a business from which you can purchase a domain name.Understanding Domain RegistrarsSimply put, a domain registrar, or a DNS registrar, is a person or business that handles domain names and sells them. These businesses assign specific IP addresses to the domains you buy. One thing to note is that when you buy a domain name, you do not permanently buy it. The domain is leased to you for a particular amount of time. Some popular domain name registrars are GoDaddy, DreamHost, BlueHost, etc.A domain registrar should be accredited by ICANN, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. This corporation maintains an extensive connection of registries. The registrars update the domain names and their new owners in these registries.Domain registrars ensure that customers' registration of a domain name goes smoothly. They also continuously update domain names so that customers can easily access a wide range of domain names. What is the Difference Between a Domain Registrar and a DNS Host?It is easy to confuse the differences between a domain registrar and a DNS host. In this section, let's examine how registrars and hosts differ and how they work together.As we saw in the last section, the domain registrar is where you buy your domain names. The DNS host, on the other hand, is a service that translates your domain name into IP addresses. This means the DNS host maintains a registry of all the domain names and associated IP addresses. The translation is done accordingly so that your domain name takes you wherever required on the internet.DNS hosting is made possible with the help of DNS servers that follow multiple steps to match your domain name with the correct IP address and direct the user to the correct place on the internet.Azure DNS : Cloud Based Hosting Services Azure offers a wide range of cloud solutions and services and also provides DNS services. Azure DNS is a cloud-based hosting service that lets users host and manage their DNS domains and zones. This is advantageous for those who want to link their other Azure services to their domains. One thing to be noted is that Azure is not a domain name registrar. You can buy domain names using a third-party registrar, and then use Azure DNS to host and manage your domain(s). You can create private and public zones for your domains in Azure and manage them accordingly.Hosting your domain with Azure DNS comes with a wide range of advantages. Some of them include:Reliability—Azure DNS ensures that all queries and requests directed to your domain are instantly resolved and answered, making your website reliable.Security - The platform offers advanced features that fortify the infrastructure, ensuring that your domain remains safe.Scalability - If you are a high-traffic business, do not worry! Azure DNS is designed to handle all traffic levels and is easily scalable to match the queries your domain receives.How to Host Your Domain with Azure DNS?Hosting your domain with a qualified service is important because it builds trust in your domain name. There are mainly two options for hosting domains - you can either do it with your domain registrar’s hosting services, or you can invest in a high-quality service like Azure DNS.Here, we describe the steps you need to follow to host your domain with Azure DNS. Ensure you have an active Azure account and a domain you can host.Creating a DNS ZoneStep 1: Sign in to the Azure portal.Step 2: Search for the DNS zone in the console, and click on ‘DNS Zones’.Step 3: Now, create a DNS Zone to host your domain. In the Create DNS Zone, you have to enter the following details:Name: The name of the domain that you own and want to host.Subscription: Your Azure subscription.Resource Group: You can use an existing resource group or create one for your domain.Step 4: Now all the required details have been submitted, select ‘Create’.Assigning Name ServersWhile setting up a domain in Azure DNS, the platform will automatically assign your domain a name server. To delegate your domain to the host, you need to know about the name servers assigned to your domain. Step 1: In the DNS Zone, select the name with your domain. Step 2: You will be directed to an Overview page. Here, You can retrieve the name servers. Step 3: While Azure assigns its authoritative name servers, you can also update them according to your needs.Delegating the DomainOnce you have created a DNS zone and updated details in the Azure console, update the new name servers and other details on the parent domain registrar.Step 1: Visit the domain name registrar’s site. In the DNS management page, update the name server details to assign the Azure DNS name servers.Step 2: Use all the name servers that were present in the Azure DNS console.Now, your domain is hosted by Azure DNS services. How to Host Your Domain with Azure DNS By CLI?Step 1: Sign in to Azureaz loginStep 2: Create a Resource Groupaz group create --name MyResourceGroup --location eastusStep 3: Create a DNS Zoneaz network dns zone create --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name example.comStep 4: Add DNS Recordsaz network dns record-set a add-record --resource-group MyResourceGroup --zone-name example.com --record-set-name www --ipv4-address 123.123.123.123Step 5: Retrieve Name Serversaz network dns zone show --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name example.com --query nameServersStep 6: Update Your Domain RegistrarStep 7: Verify DNS Configurationdig @<nameserver> www.example.comHere is a complete example of the commands:# Login to Azure az login # Create a resource group az group create --name MyResourceGroup --location eastus # Create a DNS zone az network dns zone create --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name example.com # Add an A record az network dns record-set a add-record --resource-group MyResourceGroup --zone-name example.com --record-set-name www --ipv4-address 123.123.123.123 # Retrieve name servers az network dns zone show --resource-group MyResourceGroup --name example.com --query nameServersHow to Host Your Domain with Azure DNS By Using Terraform?Step 1: Sign in to Azureaz loginStep 2: Create a Terraform Configuration File# main.tf provider "azurerm" { features {} } resource "azurerm_resource_group" "example" { name = "MyResourceGroup" location = "eastus" } resource "azurerm_dns_zone" "example" { name = "example.com" resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name } resource "azurerm_dns_a_record" "www" { name = "www" zone_name = azurerm_dns_zone.example.name resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.example.name ttl = 300 records = ["123.123.123.123"] }Step 3: Initialize Terraformterraform initStep 4: Apply the Configurationterraform applyStep 5: Retrieve Name Serversterraform show -json | jq -r '.values.root_module.resources[] | select(.type=="azurerm_dns_zone") | .values.name_servers[]'Step 6: Update Your Domain RegistrarWant to Learn About Terraform?Understanding the complexity of choosing the right DNSUnderstanding the technical aspects of domain management is crucial, such as selecting the right domain registrar and DNS, these will have a significant impact on your online presence.As we covered previously, Azure DNS is a cutting-edge platform that simplifies managing your domain. In hindsight, it is just one piece of the puzzle. The broader domain ecosystem involves a variety of registrars and DNS hosting providers, each with its unique strengths and offerings.Before you select a domain registrar or DNS host, consider and understand the following factors:Cost-effectiveness: Major providers offer bundled packages that are affordable, so evaluate pricing structures and be cautious of hidden fees. Desired Features: No one size approach fits all, so consider features that suit your specific requirements. Majority users prefer advanced security options, global traffic management, and easy-to-use interfaces, so choose wisely.Scalability: Growth is the focus for every business, so ensure your chosen provider can handle your website's growth and increased traffic. Scalability is the future, isn’t it?Integration: If you are using other cloud services, seamless integration can streamline management.Technical expertise: Assess your technical capabilities; user-friendly interfaces and excellent customer support are invaluable for those new to domain management.What are the popular alternatives to Azure DNS:GoDaddy, Namecheap and Google Domains: These renowned organizations offer domain registration at competitive prices, including various features like domain privacy protection and email forwarding. Who hasn’t heard about them right? They provide user-friendly interfaces and additional services like web hosting, an added advantage. Managed DNS Providers:CloudFlare, Route 53 (by AWS), Google Cloud DNS: These platforms offer unique services and features like high-availability DNS, global traffic management, and security measures like DDoS protection. They are a good choice, if your business has a complex website that requires high performance and security.Domain privacy protection, email forwarding, and web hosting, are a few of the additional services that these platforms provide. CloudFlare, Route 53 (by AWS), Google Cloud DNS: These platforms offer unique services and features like high-availability DNS, global traffic management, and security measures like DDoS protection. They are a good choice, if your business has a complex website that requires high-performance and security.Domain privacy protection, email forwarding, and web hosting, are a few of the additional services that these platforms provide. Now, let’s talk about the domain management best practicesCreate a memorable domain name: Your marketing team will thank you for this one. Having a memorable name is a must-do, so select a name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember and catch user attention.Ensure regular renewal: You wouldn’t want to lose your business to your competitor because your website was down right? So, prevent domain loss by renewing your registration in time.Leverage professional email: In today’s age where phishing and hacking are on the rise, setting up custom domain email addresses ensures credibility and ease. Major providers provide you with a limited set of custom email addressesConfigure DNS: We covered this in the very beginning, so utilize DNS records to direct visitors to your website seamlessly.Enable domain privacy: Your organization’s and your client’s data privacy should be your utmost priority so secure your personal and customer information with a domain privacy service, leverage those free features to get the best offer. Conclusion/ The bottom lineA domain registrar is a business where you claim an online domain. You cannot buy a domain name permanently, but you can lease it for your desired timeframe. Azure delivers unparalleled developer productivity, but is not a domain registrar, its DNS can be used to host your domains. With Azure DNS services you can leverage a wide range of benefits like ease of use, security, and reliability. Mastering domain management is crucial for a successful online presence. Azure DNS is one of the most reliable and feature-rich solutions. Don’t just take our word for it, conduct your own research and explore options to understand those that match your specific business requirements. It all boils down to the features you require compared with what the DNS providers are offering. The key decision makers will be the cost, features, scalability and technical expertise.Finally, select the domain registrar and DNS host that best supports your website's growth and success! In today’s digital-savvy world, a well-managed domain is beyond just a web address; it's a cornerstone of your digital identity.Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestion: Can Azure be a domain registrar?Answer: Right now Azure does not support any option to buy a domain.Question: What is the difference between DNS and Azure DNS?Answer: DNS is a globally distributed system that resolves domain names into IP addresses and Azure DNS allows users to manage DNS records using the Azure portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and REST APIs.Read Morehttps://devopsden.io/article/what-is-heroku-and-what-does-heroku-doFollow us onhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/devopsden/
