What are the components of a website and how does it relate to an ip address?

Answer 1

An IP address is the numerican address (such as 192.168.1.1) that computers use to contact services.

ALL websites have an IP address, which must be found or known to contact a site.

A DNS (Dynamic Name Server) is used to turn www.website.com into an IP address. Then the computer connects.

If there is no DNS, or the domain (www.something.com) is not valid, then the computer will be unable to connect without manually inputting the address.

To set up a website, you will first need a Host.

A Host is someone who has a webserver which is where the files for your website are stored and what people see when they connect to your site.

Some hosts are free, but will severely limit what you can do on your site. You may be forced to only use pictures, images, and code they have pre-made for you, and you may not be able to design the site you want.

Most have restrictions to how large the site can be, and how many people can visit per day/week/month as well.

Paid hosts are much more flexible and friendly, but of course cost money. They still have restrictions, but you are less likely to encounter them.

You can also build and host your own webhost server, if you have DSL or a business-class cable account. Cable companies for residential forbid any webhosting, and will cancel your service if you do.

Second, you will need a Domain. Stores such as godaddy.com and Yahoo will sell domains for a monthly or yearly fee. Be warned, some (like yahoo) will jack the price up substantially after the first year. Yahoo likes to sell for $10 or less, then renew the domain for $30+. If you don't renew, the domain provider may hang on to it for a while. Yahoo does this for 6 months. You will NOT be able to buy the domain somewhere else until this time has expired.

A domain is optional in many cases, if the webhost provides you with a direct link. Usually it looks something like this: www.godaddy.com/jp1/kemono/

This is harder to type and remember than something like www.kemonojapan.com, so you can figure out why a domain is preferable.

Thirdly, you will need to generate the content of the website, using an HTML editor (or notepad and program manually). You may also use CSS, Java, Javascript, DHTML, and other languages to add more complex features, but you will have to learn these languages also. HTML is easy to learn, and it's basic commands can simply be printed off and kept for ease of use for very simple, basic websites.

But flashy, complex websites will require Javascript, Java, or CSS to arrange, which requires more learning and difficulty.