Fully qualified domain name
Fully qualified domain name
(also FQDN)
Fully qualified domain name definition
A Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is a complete address that identifies an exact location within the hierarchical system of the internet. It comprises both the hostname and the realm name. Thus, providing a thorough path to a specific computer or online resource.
See also: hostname
Use cases of fully qualified domain name
- Website hosting. An FQDN allows users to access internet pages. It directs a browser to the server hosting the site’s files.
- Email services. Email systems use FQDNs to route messages to the correct server. This ensures that messages reach the intended recipient.
- Network server identification. In a corporate network, fully qualified domain names identify individual servers. It’s an efficient way to manage them.
- Remote Access. FQDN allows users to connect to a specific computer or server from anywhere.
- Virtual Private Networks. VPNs use fully qualified domain names to establish secure connections.