Difference between domain registrar and DNS manager

The terms "domain registrar" and "DNS manager" refer to different aspects of managing domain names and their associated services. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:

Domain Registrar

1. Definition:

   • Domain Registrar: A domain registrar is an organization accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) or a national domain registry to manage the reservation and registration of domain names.

2. Functions:

   • Domain Registration: Registrars allow individuals and businesses to register domain names (e.g., yourdomain.com).
   • WHOIS Management: They maintain and provide access to the WHOIS database, which contains contact information associated with domain names.
   • Renewal and Transfer: Registrars manage domain renewals, transfers between registrants, and other administrative functions related to domain ownership.

3. Responsibilities:

   • ICANN Compliance: Domain registrars must comply with ICANN policies and regulations governing domain registration and management.
   • Billing and Support: They handle billing for domain registration services and provide customer support related to domain management.

DNS Manager (or DNS Hosting Provider)

1. Definition:

   • DNS Manager: A DNS manager or DNS hosting provider is responsible for hosting Domain Name System (DNS) records that map domain names to IP addresses and other DNS records (like MX records for email).

2. Functions:

   • DNS Management: Provides tools and interfaces for managing DNS records, such as A records (for IPv4 addresses), AAAA records (for IPv6 addresses), CNAME records (for aliasing), MX records (for mail servers), TXT records (for text records like SPF), etc.
   • Name Server Management: Allows configuration of name servers that resolve domain names to IP addresses.
   • Zone File Management: Provides access to and management of zone files, which contain DNS records for a domain.

3. Responsibilities:

   • Availability and Performance: Ensures DNS servers are highly available and respond quickly to DNS queries, minimizing downtime.
   • Security: Implements security measures like DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) to protect against DNS spoofing and other attacks.

Key Differences

• Primary Function: A domain registrar primarily handles the registration and management of domain names, while a DNS manager focuses on managing DNS records and resolving domain names to IP addresses.

• Services Provided: Registrars provide domain registration, WHOIS management, and administrative functions. DNS managers provide DNS hosting, record management, and name server configuration.

• Relationship: While often offered by the same company (e.g., many registrars also offer DNS hosting), they are distinct services with separate functionalities and management interfaces.

Integration and Use Cases

• Integration: You can use services from different registrars and DNS managers interchangeably by updating name server settings or DNS records.

• Use Cases: Choosing a registrar or DNS manager depends on specific needs: a registrar with strong customer support and competitive pricing for domain registration, and a DNS manager with robust DNS management tools and reliable performance for hosting DNS records.