[This is preliminary documentation and subject to change]

# Getting an Internet Name and Address

To make your site available from the Internet, you must complete the following tasks:

1. Establish a connection to the Internet Lease a line from an Internet service provider (ISP) or a telephone company. Your provider installs a cable at your site that is plugged into the network adapter card in your computer. Usually a router is also installed between your computer and the ISP. When shopping for a provider, be sure to ask what type of connection is provided and whether the provider guarantees a minimum bandwidth. Also, check on the type of security offered.
2. Obtain an IP address Your ISP gives you an IP address, an Internet gateway (default gateway), and a subnet mask.
3. Register a domain name Your ISP can register your domain name for you, or you can register it yourself. InterNIC charges a fee to initially register your name, and after the first two years, charges a yearly maintenance fee to continue listing your domain name in their Domain Name Servers. If you choose to have your ISP register your name, you pay the InterNIC fee and may also be charged an additional fee by the ISP.

Related Topics

- For more information on connection types, see Choosing the Right Connection.
- To contact the InterNIC to register domain names and obtain IP addresses, connect to InterNIC.

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