Domain Name Registrars
Domain name registrars are companies accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and by a national Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD) authority to register Internet domain names.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has authority over Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs). An example of gTLDs includes .com, .net, .org and .mobi. ICANN does not have authority over Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD), though it is quite common for domain name registrars to offer ccTLD registration services as well. Most registrars provide DNS hosting service, but this is not required and it is considered a separate service.
In 1999, there was no Shared Registration System (SRS). The Network Solution (NSI) operated the .com, .net, and .org registries, and was the de jure registrar and domain name registry operator. Registrars formed another link in the food chain, introducing the concept of domain name sales, effectively introducing the wholesale model into the industry. NSI followed suit, forcing the issue of separation of Registry and Registrar.
In October 1998, the growing domain name registration business and other interested parties; Network Solution (NSI) had an agreement with the US Department of Commerce was amended, requiring the creation of an Shared Registration System (SRS) that supported multiple registrars. On November 30, 1999 the Shared Registration System (SRS) officially opened under the supervision of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Since then, over 500 registrars have entered the market for domain name registration services.
End-user alone cannot register and manage their domain name information with Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).A designated registrar must be chosen to have one’s domain names registered and managed with ICANN on their behalf. Prior to 1999, the only .com registrar was NSI, but after the approval of the SRS, this opened up the opportunity for other companies to be designated as registrars.