Getting a Domain Name

Before you can connect your server to the World Wide Web and access it through a Web browser, you will need a domain name. This address will be used to generate the SSL certificate that web browsers rely on to create a secure network connection and verify we are who we say we are.

Domain Registrars

While ICANN – an American 501(c)3 non-profit located in California – is tasked with the development of the global Internet infrastructure and security, they do not have the capacity to orchestrate over 350 million global web domain names. Instead, over 2,800 domain name registrars have been accredited to operate in their capacity.

This process requires ongoing adherence to strict regulations including additional clearance required to offer special or country-specific domains. These rules, set by ICANN, require that the ownership of domains can be transferred between registrars. They set explicit pricing restrictions on some top-level domains – such as .com and .net – while also imposing a maximum domain registration period of ten years.

While the ICANN has requirements for domain registrars, they are not all created equal. Some employ annoying marketing strategies while others have lax security practices or even actively malicious practices. Aside from select pricing restrictions required for accreditation, domain registrars are free to operate their service however they desire. This includes pricing that reflects expected market desirability and popularity.

Domain registrars are required to provide information to WHOIS – a database about domains, including contact information for the person who owns the right to it. Registrars might offer a privacy service that withholds this personal identifying information.

You don't need to pay for an SSL certificate through the domain registrat because we will be generating them for free using SWAG.

Cloudflare

Based in America, this company provides cybersecurity services to nearly 20% of websites, including free consumer services. They are also an accredited registrar that provides at-cost domain name services for most top-level domains.

Micro.Domains

This service leverages Namecheap's infrastructure to sell domain names that are 5-characters or less. While these domain names are often random, they offer marginal 'security by obscurity' for accessing personal web services at a reasonable and transparent price.

PorkBun

This service is operated by the American business Top Level Design, offering an intuitive experience and transparent rates for domains down to $2.

NameSilo

This service is operated out of America and focuses on customer privacy. They offer transparent pricing and accept many different payment options.

Dynamic DNS

Most consumer Internet Service Providers assign Public IP addresses to residential networks that can change at any time. Proprietary Dynamic DNS services offer tools for consumers to quickly update their Public IP address and make sure their server is always accessible. There are several free services available, but they come with drawbacks.

SWAG can generate a working SSL certificate to ensure data privacy, but browsers will not be able to verify this certificate and may lead to browser-based warnings.

~~Duckdns,~~ ~~no-ip,~~

DuckDNS

Simple option using Linux server

DDclient

Requires more setup, but can update multiple services at once to ensure there are multiple options available.

Which ones crossover with swag?

Required if VALIDATION is set to dns. Options are acmedns, aliyun, azure, bunny, cloudflare, cpanel, desec, digitalocean, directadmin, dnsimple, dnsmadeeasy, dnspod, do, domeneshop, dreamhost, duckdns, dynu, freedns, gandi, gehirn, glesys, godaddy, google, he, hetzner, infomaniak, inwx, ionos, linode, loopia, luadns, namecheap, netcup, njalla, nsone, ovh, porkbun, rfc2136, route53, sakuracloud, standalone, transip, and vultr. Also need to enter the credentials into the corresponding ini (or json for some plugins) file under /config/dns-conf.