This glossary was written and prepared by Blair Bergum of  DNSnews.net
For additions or corrections to this glossary, please send email to glossary at dnsnews dot net

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.aero

a sponsored TLD introduced in 2001 for companies in the aeronautics business. Sponsored by Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques SC (SITA). http://www.nic.aero

.arpa

a restricted TLD introduced in 196x, by the U.S. Defense Department’s Communication System that created the early Internet infrastructure, when it was called ARPAnet.net. arpa is designed for exclusive Internet infrastructure purposes. The arpa domain includes the following SLD’s (e164, in-addr, ip6, uri, urn). arpa’s acronym stands for Address and Routing Parameter Area.

.biz

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 2001. Operated by NeuLevel, Inc. http://www.nic.biz

.com

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 1985, originally designed to designate commercial businesses, but open to anyone. The most popular of all TLD’s, and one of the first three TLD’s introduced. Operated by Verisign Global Registry Services. http://netsol.com

.coop

a sponsored TLD introduced in 2001, for cooperatives. Sponsored by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA). http://www.nic.coop

.edu

a sponsored TLD introduced in 1985 for educational institutions.

.example

a restricted TLD introduced in 19xx, that is reserved for use by ICANN in testing DNS functionality and new features.

.gov

a restricted TLD introduced in 1985 for U.S. governmental agencies.

.info

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 2001. Operated by Afilias Limited. http://www.nic.info

.int

a restricted TLD introduced in 198x, for international treaty organizations.

.mil

a restricted TLD introduced in 198x for use by the U.S. military.

.museum

a sponsored TLD introduced in 2001, for museums. sponsored by Museum Domain Management Association (MuseDoma). http://www.nic.museum

.name

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 2001. This TLD has the restriction, however, that the registrant must purchase a third level domain of his or her first name followed by a period and then “leases” the SLD name corresponding to their last name. One of the most restricted and limited TLD’s yet offered by ICANN. Operated by Global Name Registry (GNR). http://www.nic.name

.net

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 1985, originally designed to designate internet infrastructure companies, but open to anyone, since 1996. The second most popular TLD, and one of the first three TLD’s introduced. Operated by Verisign Global Registry Services. http://netsol.com

.org

an unsponsored TLD introduced in 1985, originally designed to designate non-profit organizations, but open to anyone, since 1996. The third most popular TLD, and one of the first three TLD’s introduced. Operated by Public Interest Registry (PIR). http://www.pir.org

.pro

a sponsored TLD introduced in 2003, that is designed for professionals, such as lawyers, and doctors. Sponsored by Registry Pro, Ltd. http://www.registrypro.com

.us

the country code for the U.S. This TLD is a ccTLD and has some restrictions, namely that one reside in the U.S. or has a business in the U.S. Also note, that the registrant of SLD associated with this TLD does not have rights to subdomains associated with the SLD name.