Hostname vs Domain Name: Key Differences Explained

Users often confuse hostnames and domain names because they’re similar in certain ways. One is that they’re both critical components of the domain name system (DNS). Additionally, they’re both user-friendly alternatives to complex internet protocol (IP) addresses. 

However, a hostname and a domain name serve different purposes in web development. The former is concerned with the technical aspect, while the latter relates to website branding. In this article, we’ll learn more about hostnames, domain names, and fully qualified domain names (FQDNs); and how they all play a role in maintaining a strong online presence. 

What is a hostname? 

A hostname is a human-readable label assigned to a device connected to a local network or the wider internet. This name acts as a user-friendly alternative to IP addresses, making it easier to identify and communicate with different devices on the same network. You can give a device any hostname you like, such as ‘Martins-Computer’ or ‘Office-Printer1.’ 

Hostnames are particularly helpful in large organizations like office environments. For example, your company has 200 printers, but two of them are unresponsive. With hostnames, network administrators can quickly pinpoint which two printers are unresponsive, ensuring quick troubleshooting and short downtime periods. 

Multiple devices can share the same hostname. Although this might be practical in some contexts, it’s important to manage or configure such settings to avoid confusion in larger networks. Devices like computers to IoT gadgets like phones, security cameras, and even smart lightbulbs use hostnames to identify themselves on a network. When you set up a new device, like a computer or a smart fridge, the name you assign to it is its hostname. 

Structure and types of hostnames 

Hostnames typically consist of a single word or a few words with numbers that describe the device. The goal is to use specific and straightforward labels to avoid confusion. 

Simple hostnames 

A simple hostname identifies a device within your home Wi-Fi network. These names are usually short and easy to remember. For instance, if you have two printers at home, you can tag them as ‘printer1’ and ’printer2.’ This way, everyone in your house can easily find a particular printer on the network. 

Network hostnames 

Network hostnames are used for complex environments like a company’s internal network. They’re usually more specific and can include extra information about the device’s function. An example would be naming the finance department’s printer ‘finance-printer.’ This type of hostname helps keep things organized in bigger networks where multiple devices may serve different purposes. 

What is a domain name? 

A domain name is the address you type into a web browser to visit a website. It serves as a user-friendly, memorable alternative to the complex numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate on the internet.  

This translation from domain name to IP address is made possible by the Domain Name System (DNS), which functions like an internet phone book. DNS servers manage a domain name directory with their corresponding IP addresses, enabling you to access websites by typing easy-to-remember names instead of numeric strings. This system ensures that navigating the internet is both straightforward and efficient for users. 

The DNS works like this: 

• Step 1: Query sent to the DNS server. When a user types a domain name, the browser requests the DNS server to find the IP address assigned to the website. 

• Step 2: DNS recursive resolver handles the request. The recursive resolver translates the domain into its associated IP address by inquiring about the necessary information from different servers. 

• Step 3: Query sent to the root name server. The first server the resolver asks is the root name server. By looking at the domain’s extension, the server determines the TLD name server that can answer the request and passes it on. 

• Step 4: Query received by the TLD name server. Once the request is received, this server identifies the specific authoritative DNS server managing all the records needed for the query. 

• Step 5: Query answered by the authoritative DNS server. At this point, the authoritative DNS server provides the IP address to the recursive resolver. 

• Step 6: IP address sent back to the browser. Finally, the resolver returns the IP address to the browser, which uses the information to connect to the domain name’s website. 

Domain registration 

Unlike hostnames, you need to register domain names through a domain registrar to be able to use them. Domain registrars, like Domain.com, are entities that manage domain name reservations. Essentially, they allow users to search and purchase available domain names in the market. 

When you register a domain name, you have exclusive rights to that name for a particular term so no one else can use it. Think of it like renting an apartment where the lease typically lasts for a year. You’ll need to renew it annually to continue your stay. 

Other purposes of domain names 

Apart from making it easy to access websites online, domain names serve other critical purposes. 

• Brand identity. A domain name is a crucial part of your online branding and identity. It reinforces your brand and makes your website easier to find. 

• Search engine optimization (SEO). A domain name itself doesn’t affect your search engine ranking, but its elements can be factors in your SEO performance. For instance, a short domain name makes it easy for users to remember your website. Thus, this attracts organic traffic to your site and improves your visibility and engagement. 

• Professionalism. Having a custom domain name, like ‘maryscakes.com,’ conveys professionalism and trustworthiness to visitors. It also allows businesses to create branded email addresses and maintain consistency across platforms. 

Structure of domain names 

A domain name contains two components such as the second-level domain (SLD) and the top-level domain (TLD). When combined, they form a unique web address that identifies a specific website. 

• Second-level domain (SLD). This is the main part of the domain name, which is usually the name of the brand or website. For example, in ‘metro.com,’ the word ‘metro’ is the SLD. 

• Top-level domain (TLD). The TLD is the suffix at the end of the domain name. For instance, the TLD for ‘worldwildlife.org’ is ‘.org.’ 

Types of domain names 

Domain names are categorized based on the TLD they use. 

• Generic top-level domains (gTLDs). gTLDs include common extensions like ‘.com,’ ‘.net,’ and ‘.org.’ They’re globally popular and not tied to any specific geographic location or organization type. 

• Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). These are specific to countries or regions, such as ‘.uk’ (United Kingdom) or ‘.ca’ (Canada). They’re often used to target users within a particular geographic area. 

• Sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs). These TLDs are restricted to specific types of organizations. Examples include ‘.edu’ for educational services and ‘.gov’ for government agencies. 

What is a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)? 

A Fully Qualified Domain Name or FQDN is the full address for a specific computer or resource on a network. It includes the hostname and the domain name, which together provide a unique and exact identifier within the larger DNS. This complete address ensures each resource is uniquely pinpointed across the network. 

Structure of FQDNs 

To further understand FQDNs, let’s discuss its structure. For this part, we’ll use ‘mail.nestle.com’ as an example. 

An FQDN is a combination of three parts. These are the hostname, domain name, and the TLD. 

• Hostname (device). This part tells you which specific device you’re trying to reach online. Using our FQDN sample above, ‘mail’ is the label of an email server for this website. 

• Domain name (website or entity). The domain name identifies the website or the organization that owns the device you’re accessing. It’s usually related to a business or brand, like ‘nestle’ in ‘mail.nestle.com.’ 

• TLD (organization type or location type). The TLD is the ending part of the FQDN, like ‘.com’ in the example we used. It gives context about the FQDN’s type of organization or location. 

Why is an FQDN essential? 

Unique identification 

An FQDN ensures that no two devices or services share the same address. This is to avoid confusing computer systems about where to send data. 

For instance, when you type ‘mail.nestle.com’ into your browser, you’re asking to connect specifically to the mail server for ‘nestle.com.’ No other service or device will have that exact FQDN. This guarantees that you’re taken to the correct place without mistakenly landing on another site or service. 

Global reach 

The internet is a large, global network connecting billions of devices and services across the globe. An FQDN makes sure that your website or service can be found anywhere worldwide. This means that an FQDN like ‘mail.nestle.com’ can be accessed by users, whether they’re in New York, Bangkok, Germany, or any other country. 

Hostname vs domain name: A comparison summary 

	Hostname	Domain name
Access and location	Identifies specific devices in local networks or the wider internet	Identifies websites on the internet
Hierarchy and usage	Short and simple words that describe a device	Consists of an SLD and a TLD
Structure examples	“computer01” or “janeslaptop”	“topjeans.com” or “asianuniverisity.edu”
Naming conventions	Consists of letters (a-z), digits (0-9), hyphens, and underscore Special characters are not allowed Maximum limit of 255 characters	Cannot start or end with a hyphen Needs to be registered through a domain registrar Can be up to 63 characters long (excluding the TLD)

Register your domain name with Domain.com 

While hostnames and domain names may seem similar, they serve distinct roles in network management and web development. 

Hostnames are primarily used to identify devices within a network or the wider internet for easier troubleshooting. On the other hand, domain names are used to provide a user-friendly way to access websites on the internet. Moreover, FQDNs bring both together by providing a complete and unique address for resources on the internet. 

At Domain.com, we understand the importance of domain names to one’s online presence. That’s why we provide various products and services for you to take advantage of. Our AI Domain Generator gives several suggestions that are available on the market. Additionally, we have the Domain Privacy + Protection that masks your personal information on the public WHOIS database. 

Start your online presence with the domain name of your choice. Register with Domain.com today! 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)