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Domain Information
A domain name identifies your website. This is how users will reach your site. When your CivicPlus site goes live, the user will type the domain name into a web browser to reach the new site. A domain provider, such as GoDaddy, Network Solutions, HostGator, etc, will purchase and register a domain.
Important Note
CivicPlus cannot accept the domain registration transfer for .gov, or .state.us domains. These domain registrars prohibit the transfer of the domain to maintain the integrity of their domain names.
DNS Information
DNS, or Domain Name System, is the “phone book” of the Internet. This server houses the unique IP addresses for individual domains. These unique IP addresses may be for a website, mail servers, or other services that you want to use the domain for. The role of the DNS server is to translate the IP address when the website domain name is requested. Without DNS, we would have to remember the IP address for each website we would like to visit. Since this information is stored on the DNS server, the server returns the value to the browser and allows you to connect to the requested site.
When your CivicPlus site goes live, the IP address updates from old to new on the DNS server. Then when a user types the domain name into the browser, the new site will load.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Transferring DNS and/or Domain Registration
DNS HOSTING INFORMATION |
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CivicPlus Hosted DNS |
Customer Hosted DNS |
Only CivicPlus has login access to the DNS servers- record updates are requested to CivicPlus (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CST). |
Customers can manage DNS records manually and have direct access. |
CivicPlus guarantees uptime and availability of external name servers. |
The customer is responsible for managing DNS records. |
CivicPlus will make an IP address update to launch the new CivicPlus website. |
The customer is responsible for the IP Address Change to launch the CivicPlus website. |
CivicPlus Hosted Domain Registration |
Customer Hosted Domain Registration |
CivicPlus renews domain registration when transferred. |
The customer renews the domain registration. |
Only CivicPlus has login access to the domain account. |
The customer has login access to the domain account. |
Material(s) Required to Transfer (If Applicable)
- DNS Transfer: DNS records from the current provider. To look up who your current provider is, follow the instructions in the article Find My DNS Provider to query your domain. The query will return the DNS server information. Please contact this provider and request a copy of the DNS records. Please submit the records to a DNS Worksheet form, under step 3.
- Domain Transfer: If you also want to transfer your domain registration, please ensure you have login access to the domain, and that the contact information for the domain is up to date. If you are not sure who your current domain provider is, view our article Find my Registrar. A Systems Engineer will reach out to you with additional steps to transfer the domain.
New Domain Name
Search in Go Daddy for what domains are available. Once you find a domain that you would like for your CivicPlus site, please put this information as the primary domain name on the form and we will purchase this for you and set up the DNS.
Questions
Still have questions? Please email the DNS Team.
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