Domain name
To uniquely identify all computers on the Internet, every computer is assigned a unique IP Address. IP stands for Internet Protocol and these addresses are normally expressed as a string of numbers (eg. 217.27.61.137). Domain names were developed to avoid having to remember the IP addresses of all of the web sites we visit. Through the use of domain name Servers, easy-to-remember domain names are automatically translated to their corresponding IP addresses, allowing computers on the Internet to communicate with each other. domain names typically have several levels, separated by a dot (ie. a full stop). The right-most level is usually known as the top-level domain, or TLD, and is often represented by a country code, such as .nz.
Within .nz, a range of second-level domains, or 2LDs, have been created for specific uses (eg. .co.nz for commercial users and .school.nz for schools). Some 2LDs are subject to moderation and have a restricted usage. InternetNZ, the party delegated to manage the .nz name space, maintains a register of third-level domains for the general public to use on a 'first come, first served' basis.