A nameserver is used to connect your domain registration to your website. Websites are hosted on computer servers. These servers are identified and located using long sets of numbers (IP addresses). These can be hard to remember. Domain names, using letters rather than numbers are easier to remember. When a user enters your domain name into their web browser, the nameservers direct users to your website (using the IP address where it is hosted).
FAQs categories: Domain Registration
Why are some one and two letter domain names restricted from registration?
.IE, through its responsibilities of managing the .ie namespace, restricted the release of a small number of one and two letter .ie domain names on the grounds of possible commercial use by the Registry in future, or on the basis that the registration of such domains could be misleading to the Internet community, cause confusion, or damage the credibility and reputation of the Registry.
What are one and two letter domains?
These are shortened domain names, where the use of one or two letters only is allowed before the .ie extension, e.g. hp.ie. These domains are usually in great demand as they are easy to remember and a great asset for businesses who need a memorable domain to market their work online.
If I register a .ie domain, does that prevent others from using similar names as .ie domains, or even the same name as a .com, .org etc?
No, if you register a domain name this does not prevent other people from registering similar domain names or variations. If you do not want other individuals or organisations to be able to use variations of your domain name, you should register them yourself. For other Top Level Domains (TLDs), someone can register the same .com, .net, .org etc. domain name as your .ie domain name unless you have already registered it yourself.