Frequently Asked Questions

Domain registration

• Can a foreigner register a .is domain?
• How do I register a .is domain?
• What is the role of the domain's administrative contact?
• What about cost?
• What is Automatic Renewal
• How do I modify my own or my domains registration?
• How do I change my domains zone contact?
• How do I change my domains delegation records in the IS zone?
• How do I register my nameservers with ISNIC?
• How does ISNIC validate the nameservers?
• How do I activate a contact object's NIC-handle?
• How do I transfer a domain from one registrant to another?
• What does a "correspoding non-IDN domain" mean to a IDN domain?
• Can I become a .IS registrar?
• What is an agent?
• What is an ISP?
• What is a parked domain ?
• What is Web Forwarding ?

• Can a foreigner register a .is domain?

Yes, you can register a .IS domain!

For further information see Application for a domain in ISNIC's rules.

• How do I register a .is domain?

If you have your own nameservers, you must have configured the domain and the nameservers must be registered with ISNIC. If you do not have any nameservers yet, you can Park your domain with ISNIC. See "Domain->Requirements" and "Nameserver->Requirements" . You must also have available the NIC-handles of the domain's contacts, and you yourself must be logged in via "Contacts->Login" . If contact handles are unavailable, you must first register the contacts (and/or yourself) via "Contacts->Register" on the left.

Once logged in, proceed to the registration page ("Domains->Register") and follow the instructions. Your application will be queued, pending payment of registration fees. Note that you have two days to remit the fee, after which the application expires and must be resubmitted if payment is made. Payment can be made on-line using the login information of the Administrative contact or Billing contact of the domain.

• What is the role of the domain's administrative contact?

Usually, a domain's adminstrative contact is simply the registrant. However, in some cases, the registrant needs a domestic contact person then he will turn to one of the ISNIC Agents. The Agents can also assist in domestic legal matters, i.e. trademarks, copyright etc. If the registrant wants someone else to have full change-control over the domain, a third party can be appointed administrative contact.

Please note that the admin contact has full, web-based control of the domain, including the ability to transfer the domain to a new registrant. It is the registrants responsibility to ensure that proper contracts exist between a third-party administrative contact and the registrant.

• What about cost?

The annual renewal fee is EUR 39. The first year fee (the registration fee) must be prepaid before registration can proceed. For list of other fees see ISNIC's tariff.

Please note that the first year fee must be prepaid within two (2) days of sending in the application. The application will not be processed unless the registration fee is paid.

• What is Automatic Renewal?

The last step of the registration process allows the registrant to select to pay the fees using a creditcard. The registrant can also register the card details with ISNIC and register his/her domains for automatic renewal. In this case the renewal fee will be debeted to the card 60 days prior to its expiry date, automatically.

Existing domains can similarly be registered for automatic renewal. The domain's administrative or billing contact logs on the ISNIC web, selects Modify automatic renewal status, and clicks Register for automatic renewal for the each domain where automatic renewal is desired, either selecting to use their already registered creditcard, or registering one for the renewal. The domain will then be renewed 60 days prior to its expiry date, automatically every year while the card is valid. Note that the domain's administrative contact must then explicitly Delete the domain if the registration is no longer desired.

• How do I modify my own or my domains registration?

Modifications are web-based. You must begin by logging in to the ISNIC web using your NIC-handle and password and select "My page". You will then get a list of domains and nameservers for which you are registered and over which you have change-control. Select the domain/nameserver you wish to modify and follow the instructions.

• How do I change my domains zone contact?

• How do I change my domains delegation records in the IS zone?

Glue record modifications are web-based. Log on to the ISNIC web using your NIC-handle (you must use either the NIC-handle of the administrative contact or of the technical contact). On "My page", select the domain you wish to move (change nameservers for), click "Move" on the menu, and follow the instructions.

• How do I register my nameservers with ISNIC?

It is important that nameservers are registered with ISNIC by the server's owner or their technical representative. The nameserver's technical contact becomes the zone contact for all .is domains delegated to the nameserver and therefore must be whoever administers the nameserver. ISNIC contacts the domain's zone contact in case of technical difficulties with the nameservers and this contact must have systemic access to the nameserver and be able to fix DNS-technical problems.

To register a nameserver you must have available the nameserver's intended technical contact handle (nic-handle). If that is not available the server administrator must begin by registering a contact object for the nameserver. Once you have obtained and activated the NIC handle assigned you can login to our site and proceed with the nameserver registration by clicking on "Register" under the "Nameservers" heading.

• How does ISNIC validate the nameservers?

The only way to test a particular UDP service is to query the service that listening on the particular port. Thus the only way to test if a DNS server is running on UDP port 53 is to make a DNS query. As there is no way of knowing wich zones are served by that host, so a query for the root zone NS records is made. A secondary query is also made, in case the root zone fails.

To verify that a nameserver is running, a reply is required. It can be any RCODE as long as some reply is sent. A timeout is not acceptable.

According to RFC1035 the RCODE should be one of those below: (RCODE names are from BCP42/RFC2929)

SERVFAIL 2  Server failure - The name server was 
            unable to process this query due to a
            problem with the name server. 
  
REFUSED  5  Refused - The name server refuses to 
            perform the specified operation for
            policy reasons.  For example, a name 
            server may not wish to provide the
            information to the particular requester,
            or a name server may not wish to perform 
            a particular operation (e.g., zone
            transfer) for particular data.

Or the reply can be NOERROR, with the root zone NS records, but not replying at all is not an option.

• How do I activate a contact object's NIC-handle?

When a contact object (admin, technical or billing contact) is registered with ISNIC an email is sent to the registered email address requesting that the person (or role) confirm their willingness to register, and the validity of the email address. This email contains an URL that must be followed to activate the NIC-handle.
Alternatively, the NIC-handle can be activated by selecting a password. Visit here and type in your NIC-handle and then select the "Forgotten your password.." link.

• How do I transfer a domain from one registrant to another?

The domain is transferred from one registrant to another via the ISNIC web interface. One of the domains contacts logs on using his/her NIC-handle and password, selects the domain to transfer, and selects "Transfer". The contact will be prompted for the details on the new registrant. The domains administrative contact will then be asked to confirm the transfer request, and once that is received, the request is queued for processing.

Please note that if the new registrant is a foreign party, special rules apply and manual confirmation may be required..

• What does a "corresponding non-IDN domain" mean to a IDN domain?

• Can I become a .IS registrar?

ISNIC does not have any official registrars. The registrants have direct access to the .IS registry and deal directly with the registry. Anyone can host .IS domains as long as their nameservers meet ISNICs technical requirements, and the domains zone as set up on those nameservers meets ISNICs delegation requirements.

A company that agrees to host .IS domains for their customers, needs to register their nameservers with ISNIC, see "How do I register my nameservers with ISNIC?", and make sure they are willing to meet ISNICs delegation requirements.

A company can additionally apply for status as an official ISNIC service provider (ISP) for .is domains and/or status as an agent for registrants. ISP's have additional control and access.

• What is an agent for registrants?

An agent is a person or company that has applied for and been granted an agent status with ISNIC. The agent is responsible for the correct initial registration of the domain's contact and registrant information, and for the subsequent maintenance of this information. Usually the agent simply manages the domain's registration with ISNIC on behalf of the registrant. Please see the application forms for the terms and conditions of agent registration.

• What is an ISP?

A ISNIC service provider is a hosting provider that has registered with ISNIC as such and is willing and able to host .is domains according to ISNIC's technical delegation requirements. The ISP is listed with ISNIC, and has access to the ISP portal on the ISNIC web. Please see the application forms for the terms and conditions of such registration.

• What is a parked domain?

Domains can be parked, i.e. temporarily delegated to a special set of parking nameservers. A registrant may park a domain if e.g. the zone is not ready at the time of registration or the production nameservers have gone offline for a long period of time and the domain is in danger of being deleted. While a domain is parked it will not receive any email and no websites will be active. If you choose to park a domain you select the option "Parking" from the ISP's dropdown list. The registrant can park or unpark a domain at any time (via the ISNIC web -- see "How do I change my domains delegation records in the IS zone?" ). Domain parking is a free service.

• What is Web Forwarding ?

Web Forwarding is a service provided by ISNIC to direct your domain to a IP address or a pre-defined web URL. If you choose to use an IP address, the webserver should be configured to display your website - you should contact your webserver administrator to make sure this is possible.
You can also enter a URL or a server name. Valid URL's are for example: http://www.isnic.is and http://www.isnic.is/faq.
Web Forwarding is a free service.