Domain Names

Domain Names

Domain names are required on all new accounts. If you do not already have one, you can order your account with a domain name not already owned by someone else and it will be registered by Hurricane Electric on your behalf. To find a domain name not already in use, you can go to any domain name registration site and use the "WHOIS" search tools. Alternatively, you can go to http://allwhois.com which has a search tool that queries most registrar databases.

You may also register a domain name at the registrar of your choice. If you decide to do so, you will need the following DNS Server information:

Primary Nameserver:
ns1.he.net

Secondary Nameservers:
ns2.he.net
ns3.he.net
ns4.he.net
ns5.he.net

If you already have a registered domain name, just fill out the online order form located at: https://www.he.net/cgi-bin/webspaceorder Type in your domain name where it asks for Desired Domain Name and select Existing Domain Name.

If you have your own domain name servers, we recommend that you point your domain name servers at our domain name servers using NS records as opposed to using A records. Delegate the www subdomain of your domain name to our name servers using NS records.

Domain names are case insensitive, and are generally written in all lower or uppercase. You may use up to 62 letters, numbers, or the "-" character. Shorter domain name are preferable because they are easier to type and easier to remember. Both your_domain.com and www.your_domain.com will refer to the same virtual host account automatically.

International Domain Names

You may use an international domain name on your account. However, we require you to handle the registration yourself. We will send you an example completed application as it would be filled out for the InterNIC that you will have to adapt appropriately for the registrar you use.

Transferring Domain Names

You are responsible for transferring an existing domain name at another service to our servers. When your account is created, we will send you a form which contains our dns server information that your registrar requires. If you have problems with the process, you can contact us for assistance.

Managing your domain name registration

You will need to go to the main website of your registrar (register.com, netsol.com, godaddy.com, etc.) and log in with the information your registrar should have emailed to you. Once there and logged in, you will have the option to change contacts, dns servers, and many other aspects of the domain itself. If you do not remember or did not receive your login information, most registrars provide a way to retrieve it at their login page.

If your domain name is registered by us on your behalf and you have problems managing your domain, you can contact us at support@he.net[1]

How is it determined if a domain name is already in use?

The InterNIC provides a web form to query the domain name registry.

Which domain name do we use?

The one you choose and enter in the order form when ordering a virtual host.

What domain name servers should I list at my registrar?

Most registrars don't actually need IP addresses, as some may think. All you should need to provide them with is the following:

Primary Nameserver: ns1.he.net

Secondary Nameservers: ns2.he.net ns3.he.net ns4.he.net ns5.he.net

I already have a domain name with another service provider. How difficult would it be to transfer that name to your service?

It is easy. Just fill out the online order form located at: https://www.he.net/cgi-bin/webspaceorder Type in your domain name where it asks for Desired Domain Name and select Move Existing Domain Name.

Since we have our own domain name servers elsewhere, is there any problem with just pointing our domain name at your server to get our virtual host setup working?

We recommend that you point your domain name servers at our domain name servers using NS records as opposed to using A records. Delegate the www subdomain of your domain name to our name servers using NS records.

Will I get a true domain name, or an alias?

You get a true domain name.

Who would register these virtual domains?

We would as part of our service.

Who is responsible for keeping my domain name up and running?

Your domain name would be on our domain name servers and would refer to one of our web servers. We are responsible for keeping our systems running.

Can my account name be completely different from my domain name?

Yes.

Do you help with domain name registering?

Yes, we register your domain for you.

Is it possible to handle domain name registration on my own if I decide to host a page on your server?

Yes. However, we prefer to handle it for you because we need to setup your domain name on our name servers before the application for your domain name is submitted to the InterNIC.

How many letters long may a domain name be?

That is a restriction on account names not domain names. Domain names are case insensitive, and are generally written in all lower or uppercase. You may use up to 62 letters, numbers, or the "-" character. Shorter domain name are preferable because they are easier to type and easier to remember.

Is it possible to get an international domain name (for example, mydomain.de or mydomain.it)?

Yes. However, in this case, we require you to handle the registration yourself. We will send you an example completed application as it would be filled out for the InterNIC, you will have to adapt it appropriately.

Is the use of the prefix www optional?

Yes. Both your_domain.com and www.your_domain.com will refer to the same virtual host.

How can I update the contact information for my domain name?

Yes. You will need to go to the main website of your registrar (register.com, netsol.com, joker.com, dotster.com, etc.) and log in with the information your registrar should have emailed to you. Once there and logged in, you will have the option to change contacts, dns servers, and many other aspects of the domain itself.