Understanding DNS and how it works can be difficult and frustrating. Many people are confused about what features are included with the registration of a Domain Name. This section reviews in detail the different features included with DNS and how they work.

To answer the most common question/misconception, DNS does not include a website. Although many ISPs and hosting companies bundle these services together, GWI does not. We separate these services because many people want to have a domain name for their email addresses, but don't want the extra cost and responsibility of managing a website. Website upkeep and design is a lot of work, and if done poorly can cause more problems than it solves. Because of this, many people choose to hold off on setting up a website until they are ready for it.

If you want to establish your domain name (mycompany.com) and also want to have a website (www.mycompany.com), you will need to complete the following steps. If you only want a domain name, then you only have to complete step one.

1. Fill out the DNS/Domain Name Request Form. This secures the Domain Name mycompany.com (or whatever you choose to register) for your own personal use, and designates GWI as the Host. As the Host, GWI can setup any Domain-based services you are interested in (follow the links for DNS, an Overview, and DNS Features to learn how it works, and what you can do).
   
2. Fill out the VWS Activation Form. This is a request to set up a special website to work with your domain at the address www.mycompany.com. Because of the way that DNS addressing works, it is impossible for us to setup www.mycompany.com to point to your existing personal web space at www.gwi.net/~username.
   

To learn more about how DNS and VWS work, as well as what type of options you have, please select one of the following links.

• Domain Name Service Overview - This page describes how Domain Names and the Internet work. This information is not specific to GWI.
  
• Domain Name Service Features - This page describes what sorts of things you can do with a domain name that is hosted with GWI.
  
• Virtual Web Server Overview - This page describes how a VWS works, and some of the different ways it can be set up.
  

We hope you find the information in this section helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Sales Department at services@gwi.net or call 866-494-2020.