Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a DNS pointer and a WWW forwarding?

A DNS record enables you to point a (sub)domain, such as example.com, www.example.com or test.example.com, to an IP address (e.g. 194.63.248.47) or to another domain (e.g. webhotell.domeneshop.no). If a web server runs on the server it is pointed to, the web server must be configured to answer requests for the domain in question.

You cannot point www.example.com to 194.63.248.47 and assume that it will work. It depends on the set up of the web server running on the server with IP address 194.63.248.47.

To connect a domain/subdomain to a web hosting package with Domainnameshop, you should never use DNS records. This is solved using virtual hosts

If you control the set up of the web server, you may employ an ordinary DNS pointer. If you do not control the set up (e.g. your website is located with someone offering free web services), you will have to use a WWW forwarding. A WWW forwarding lets you redirect http://www.example.com/ to a sub folder on the web server, e.g. http://www.home.no/example/.

Whereas you may only use WWW forwarding for web (HTTP/HTTPS), DNS pointers can be used for many different services such as email, FTP, and so on.