The fully qualified domain name (FQDN) is a part of Uniform Resource Locator (URL). As its name implies, it is the full name of an entity in the Internet framework, which includes a host and a computer.
This article will explain the definition, examples, and functions of the fully qualified domain name. Next, we will show you how to find an FQDN in the three most used operating systems: Windows, macOS Y Linux.
What is an FQDN?
A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) is a fully qualified domain name consisting of the hostname and the domain name that can be mapped to an IP address. Specifies the exact location of a computer or host in the Domain Name System (DNS).
Examples of a FQDN
A fully qualified domain name, also known as an absolute domain name, specifies all domain levels written in the format hostname.domain.tld. For example, a yahoo.com mail server would be mail.yahoo.com. Other examples are wordpress.org Y news.bbc.co.uk.
Let’s explore each element of an FQDN hierarchy:
- hostname. It is a label assigned to a server service available on a network. The DNS server uses a hostname to make an IP address easy to remember. Examples of a hostname are “www” in .com Y “it is” in en.wikipedia.org.
- Subdomain. This part is found on the left side of a second-level domain and sometimes indicates a section of a larger domain. For example, support..com is a part of .comand the word «support» is the subdomain. Please note that not all domains have this element.
- a domain name. It is made up of a second level domain and a . For example in .com«hoster» is the second-level domain, and «.com» is the .
The maximum length of the hostname and fully qualified domain name is 255 bytes per FQDN.
Important: Fully qualified domain names require a trailing period on the far right to indicate the end of the name, such as www..com. However, current web browsers often assume that there is already a dot and make sure that there is always an FQDN.
What is a partially qualified domain name?
Like an FQDN, a partially qualified domain name (PQDN) also indicates a web address but only includes a hostname or domain name.
Website developers typically configure their site’s DNS to redirect visitors to the same page whether they type in the FQDN or the PQDN.
For example, if you write .com either .comyou will arrive at https://.com, the URL of our home page. PQDNs are often favorable because they are shorter, which helps visitors find your site more easily.
When to use an FQDN
FQDNs are often used in any interaction on the Internet, as they are easier to remember than IP addresses. Below are various scenarios of when to use an FQDN:
- Get an SSL certificate. It is protected by a connection between a web server and a browser. An SSL certificate is issued for an FQDN, so you may not be able to properly use SSL services without it.
- Connect to a remote host. You can make a remote host or virtual machine by specifying any FQDN, allowing DNS to look in your DNS table and locate the server. If you use only the hostname to connect to a server, your application may not be able to resolve the hostname.
- Access a specific domain service or protocol. Activities that transfer information over a network generally involve DNS, including pointing to an FQDN. An example is when you connect to an email server.
- Migration to a new server. If you want to migrate your service to a server with a different IP address, using an FQDN instead of an IP address allows you to quickly change your DNS record and reduce interruptions from IP address changes.
Where to find an FQDN
Follow these steps to find an FQDN if you are a Windows user:
- Go to the button Start menu and writes “name of the team«.
- click on Advanced system settings and you will see the section team namewhich is the FQDN.
You can also search for the Symbol of the system in the Windows search engine. Then, enter the ipconfig /all command to reveal a full Windows IP configuration, including the hostname, primary DNS suffix, and connection-specific DNS suffix.
For macOS users, click the icon System preferences in the Dock or navigate to the Apple menu at the top left, select System preferences and choose Share.
At the top, you should see a connection-specific FQDN and DNS suffix in the section computer name.
Meanwhile, Linux users can find the FQDN by entering the command line hostname – -fqdn at the Terminal. To open Terminal, tap CTRL + ALT + T or search for it by clicking the board icon, typing «terminal» in the search box and selecting the Terminal app.
conclusion
A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) allows a computer or server to be uniquely identified on the Internet within the domain name system (DNS).
This fully qualified domain name contains:
- hostname
- Subdomain (if any)
- Second level domain
- Top Level Domain (TLD)
- Final point
Unlike fully qualified domain names, which include the entire levels of a domain, partially qualified domain names (PQDNs) consist of only the hostname or domain name, a second-level domain, and a TLD. By being shorter, a PQDN helps people remember the address much more quickly.
FQDNs are essential when you want to obtain an SSL certificate, migrate to a different server, or connect to a remote host or virtual machine. Where to find an FQDN will depend on your operating system. For example, Windows and Linux users can check using the Terminalwhile Apple stores the FQDNs in the dashboard System preferences.
Betania is a copywriter with a passion for digital marketing and website creation. She writes tutorials and performs SEO analysis on ‘s Content team. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing or watching a good classic movie.
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