Knowledge Base

Q: What are the requirements for registering a domain name? 
A: Absolutely anyone can register a domain name, regardless of where in the world you are located, or if you have an existing web site.  The only requirement is having a valid Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit or check card for payment.

Q: What are the fees involved in setting up a domain?  Do I need anything else aside from this?
A: To just get a domain name, you don't need anything more than just the registration service for $14.95/year.  However if you wish to put up a web site at the domain (www.you.com for example), you'll need to sign up with a hosting provider.  

Q: Do you provide hosting services, or can you recommend a web host?
A: Yes -- we are also a web hosting firm ourselves.  You can host your site with us starting at just $14.99/month at www.thinkhost.com however you are under no requirement to host the site with us -- you're free to put the site on any web host's servers.

Q: Do I need to get the domain or the hosting account first?
A: This really makes absolutely no difference, although we suggest you register the domain you want as soon as possible as there is a very likely chance that someone else might take it if you wait.  There are hundreds of thousands of domains registered every day, and if you think your domain is good, you are far better off registering it as soon as you can rather than waiting. 

Q: How much time does it take to get a domain up and running?
A: The domain registration itself takes up to 24-72 hours.  Remember that you need to point the DNS servers to the proper web host, and those changes take 24-72 hours from the time you make them to propagate throughout the net.  In all, it can be up to 72 hours from the time you point the DNS to a web host till the time it'll actually work.  The registration and DNS changing time can overlap (i.e. for a total overall maximum of 72 hours) if you do both at the same time.  

Q: Who is Network Solutions, and aren't they the only registrar?
A: Network Solutions used to be the only choice for domain registration since the early days of the Internet.  However this is no longer the case, as the industry was de-regulated by the US Government.  The domains are now controlled by ICANN, who regulates the industry and the root registry, so Network Solutions is just another registrar, very much like OpenSRS / DevNIC and there is absolutely no difference where you get the domain from.

Q: Are you ICANN-accredited?
A: We are a reseller for OpenSRS managed by Tucows, Inc., and Tucows is an accredited ICANN registrar.  All domains are handled within ICANN policy and to ICANN's and OpenSRS (Tucows) standards.  OpenSRS is a bulk domain registry for whom we resell domains -- they do not sell directly to end-users, but rather to resellers like DevNIC.

Q: Do I own the domain I register?  Will it be in my name?
A: Absolutely -- this was one of the key points of our domain program as a web host and it continues to be.  You will be listed as both the Registrant, Administrative Contact as well as Billing.  By default, DevNIC is the technical contact, but you can change that immediately through our Domain Management Interface (see the "manage" link at the top of this page).

Q: What about Domain Name Servers?  Don't I need those to register a domain?
A: When you first register your domain, the DNS servers are set to point to the DNS servers of ThinkHost.  You can change the default immediately upon registration by logging into the Domain Management Interface (see the "manage" link at the top of this page).  You are, of course, free to host the domain web site with *any* web host you wish -- just obtain the DNS servers from them.

Q: Is there a way that I can transfer a domain to DevNIC that was registered with another company?
A: Yep you can, using our easy transfer process!  Just select "transfer" link at the top of this page!  The first $14.95 you pay us for the transfer will extend the life of your existing domain by a year, on top of what is already paid to another registrar.

Q: Can I register an expired domain with DevNIC?
A: You may only register domains to us that are no longer in the whois database.  

Q: What are the requirements for transferring an existing domain to DevNIC?  What is "transfer"? 
A: By transferring a domain to DevNIC, you can take advantage of our lower than most registrar fees, and extend the life of your domain.  The transfer process only changes the registration authority, but does not affect your web site.  However, you need to make sure that the domain you wish to transfer to us:

• has not been registered or transferred to a new owner less than 60 days ago
• is not "on-hold" or "locked" for non-payment reasons or by request of the owner with another registrar
• has not passed its expiration date and is not in the last 4 days before its expiration
• has the administrative contact e-mail address that is accessible to you for incoming and outgoing e-mail

Please be advised that if your domain fails one of the above tests, you will still be billed for the transfer attempt, so please make sure that it meets the requirements before ordering a transfer. You must reply to the e-mail OpenSRS or your registrar sends you to approve the transfer within five days of the request being e-mailed, or else the transfer will be cancelled, and you will lose your deposit.  By running a WHOIS on the domain, you can get all of the above information and make sure that the domain fits within the requirements for transfer.

Q: How is a transfer process done?
A: The transfer process is a simple three step process which authenticates the domain with you, your current registrar, and DevNIC/OpenSRS:

• A registration transfer request is submitted using the "transfer" link at the top of this web site.
• An e-mail is sent for each domain from transfers@opensrs.org to the current administrative contact via e-mail which outlines instructions for authorizing the transfer process.  Please be sure to follow the directions and process the authorization within five days of receipt.
• The old registrar now has to approve the transfer of the domain, and this is usually done within about 5-7 business days.

Once the transfer authentication process is complete, your domain will be moved to DevNIC/OpenSRS, and the life of the domain extended by one year.

Q: What do I need to do to get my web site online, now that I have the domain?  Where do I host the web site?
A: You need to sign up for hosting with a web hosting provider.  DevNIC is operated and managed by ThinkHost, so we do our own hosting, but you are free to go with any web hosting company you choose.  By default, your web site (the DNS servers) is/are set to point to ThinkHost, but you're free to change that at any time through our powerful Domain Management Interface (see the "manage" link at the top of this page). 

Q: How do I tell DevNIC to point my domain to a certain hosting company? 
A: The Domain Management Interface (see the "manage" link at the top of this page) allows you to change the DNS servers.  You'll need to obtain the DNS server information (names) from your new web host.  If you are hosting with ThinkHost you do not need to do anything else, as by default the DNS is pointed to our powerful web servers.

Q: The domain has been registered, but yet does not appear in whois?  What's the deal?
A: Domains take up to 48-72 hours to appear in whois and to propagate throughout the Internet.  However, the moment you register the domain with us, it can not be registered by someone else here or at another registrar. 

Q: Is it possible for me to sell or give the ownership of my domain to someone else?
A: Yes, definitely!  Just use our powerful Domain Management Interface (the "manage" link at the top of this page) to update your information.  All registrant / contact changes show up in whois almost immediately.

Q: Can I cancel a domain name and get my money back?
A: Unfortunately there is no way to cancel a domain name registration.  Your best bet would be to just let the domain name expire on its own.  Of course you're welcome to move the domain to another registrar if you so desire, but we do not have authority to delete domains for our clients.  We also do not issue refunds for domain registrations under any conditions -- however you are free to move to another registrar, or do as you please with your domain.  We simply can't delete it or refund your money.

Q: How do I edit my domain, its contacts, DNS servers?
A: Our powerful Domain Management Interface (see the "manage" link at the top of this page) allows you to do all this and much more.  You can even create your own name servers using the tool if you so desire.  One of the key points of our system is the Domain Management Interface as it allows you to be in total control of your domain -- with just a click of your mouse you can change most any aspect of your domain name, and in most cases see the changes in whois within only moments.  The only thing that takes time with our tool is DNS changes, as these take 48-72 hours to propagate throughout the Internet.  There are absolutely *no* fees for making changes to your domain using our Domain Management Interface.

Q: I forgot the password for my domain?  What do I need to do?
A: You will need to contact DevNIC support in order to have your password mailed to you.  Please understand that we have absolutely no access to your password, and can only mail it to the Administrative contact e-mail address on file.  It is crucially important that the e-mail address on file remains current and up-to-date at all times.