LinkLib: Internet: DNS (Domain Name Service)

The Domain Name Service translates hostnames (www.leepoint.net) into IP numbers (145.34.17.202).

Domain Registration

Here are some places to register, with prices per year. Some offer free email forwarding, dns, url redirect, ... There have been many new registrars since I made this list, but I'm still happy with Gandi.

Euro 12 = $10 www.gandi.net includes free email forwarding, url redirect, dns. I registered here. My favorite, but I'm sure many others are fine.
Euro 12 = $10 joker.com
$8.88 www.namecheap.com
$15 www.directnic.com
$15 dotster.com
register.com
$17 domainmonger.com
$35 networksolutions.com The original register. Pricey, arrogant, difficult to deal with - Don't use them.

Reviews of registrars

www.domainnamebuyersguide.com

DNS info

www.dns.net/dnsrd/
www.t20.com - Info on "dynamic DNS".

Software to work with DNS / routing info

www.visualroute.com -- Draws world map of route. Hightly recommended.
www.iworker.com
pingplotter

NeoTrace Express

Description: Visual trace of Internet route.
License: Free for personal use. Pro version available.
URL: www.neoworx.com

Various network tools

Description: HyperTrace (GUI traceroute), NetStatLive (incoming/outgoing IP traffic, cpu use) from the company that does web log analysis.
License: free?
URL: www.analogx.com

Other

network-tools.com/5/ (who registered)
www.analog.cx (IP->hostname for web logs?, free)
news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/sci/tech/newsid_1270000/1270292.stm Interesting article on the chaos because of alternate top-level-domains.
www.tldlobby.com/ Top-level-domain lobby site to keep Icann from appropriating names from other tld organizations.
YouCann.org supplies DNS service for other DNS root zones.