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Domain registration overview
DNS A-Record configuration
Propagation verification via terminal

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Overview

About this plan

What's inside: Domain acquisition strategy, DNS routing basics, and access to student-free registration.

Secure your domain, map A-records to your AWS server, and verify global propagation using terminal diagnostics.

Outcome

The Goal

Stop Sharing IP Addresses: Sharing `http://54.123.45.67` looks like a work-in-progress. Sharing `yourapp.com` looks like a business. We help you secure a professional URL that belongs on a resume or pitch deck.

Establish a Permanent Web Identity: Moving from localhost to a domain is the "Final Milestone." This is where your app becomes a permanent, reachable destination on the internet.

Master DNS Infrastructure: Learn the mechanics of the internet. We walk you through configuring "A Records" and understanding propagation so you can manage your web traffic like a Pro.

Audience

Who This Is For

You're Ready to Go 'Public'Your app is functional and you want to share it with the world. An IP address is a technical detail; a domain name is a brand.
You Want to Build a Job-Ready PortfolioRecruiters judge the effort you put into the "last 10%." A custom domain shows you understand how to deploy and maintain production-standard systems.
You're a Student on a BudgetUse your .edu email to secure professional infrastructure for free. We help you navigate the student registration process to save on startup costs.
You Want to Learn Global Traffic RoutingDNS is the phonebook of the internet. Understanding how to link names to numbers is an essential skill for any Full-Stack or DevOps engineer.

Applications

Best Use Cases

Founders Launching a Brand

Secure your startup name before someone else does. Even if the app is simple, a professional domain builds immediate trust with your first users.

Students Creating a Personal Project Hub

Buy one domain (e.g., `yourname.dev`) and use subdomains for all your projects. It keeps your portfolio organized and professional under one roof.

Engineers Demystifying DNS

Stop guessing why your site is down. Learn to check A-records, CNAMEs, and TTL settings to manage your own server infrastructure with confidence.

Methodology

Why This Approach

The "Total Reach" Strategy: We teach you to configure both root and www records. It seems small, but it prevents the "site not found" errors that happen when users type your URL differently.
Infrastructure Literacy: We use Namecheap for its balance of price and ease, but the DNS concepts are universal. Whether you use Route53 or Cloudflare tomorrow, the logic remains the same.
Verification over Hope: We don't just tell you to "wait for propagation." We show you how to use diagnostic tools to see exactly when the rest of the world sees your new address.
Security & Privacy: Many registrars charge extra for privacy. We prioritize services that include WHOIS protection to keep your personal data off the open web.

Next Steps

What's next?

Your domain is owned and ready. Next, move to Stage 12: Network Configuration & DNS Routing to link your Namecheap records to your AWS Elastic IP for the final launch.

Quick Info

Cost1 credit

We recommend Namecheap for its student program and price, but these DNS principles work on any registrar (Google, Cloudflare, AWS).

Process

How it works

1

Step 1: Student Savings (Optional). If you have a .edu email, we show you how to claim a free .me domain through Namecheap. Professional real estate at zero cost.

2

Step 2: Domain Registration. Secure your name with WHOIS privacy protection included. This keeps your personal contact info hidden from spammers and public databases.

3

Step 3: DNS Configuration. We map your domain to your AWS server. By setting up both `@` and `www` records, we ensure your app is reachable no matter how the user types it.

4

Step 4: Propagation & Verification. We use `nslookup` diagnostics to verify your domain is "talking" to your server globally, moving you past the "is it working yet?" guesswork.

NamecheapNamecheap

Deliverables

What you'll get

You walk away with a registered domain pointing directly to your live AWS server. This is your permanent "home" on the web. You can now put a professional link on your resume, LinkedIn, or business cards. More than just a name, you will understand the underlying DNS infrastructure that makes the web work. You’ve moved from a student with a local file to a developer with a global address.

Custom Registered Domain: A web address you own (e.g., yourname.me, yourapp.com). This is permanent internet real estate registered in your name.
Configured DNS A-Records: Professional routing for both root and www subdomains, ensuring a 100% reachability rate for your users.
DNS Diagnostic Skills: Practical experience using terminal tools like `nslookup` to troubleshoot and verify internet traffic routing.
Privacy Protection (WHOIS): Your personal phone number and email are shielded from the public domain registry to prevent spam.
Subdomain Flexibility: The ability to create unlimited subdomains (e.g., `api.myapp.com` or `dev.myapp.com`) for future growth.

Prerequisites

Before you begin

Cost

FREE with student email (.me) OR ~$10/year for standard domains

Time

15 minutes setup + propagation wait time

Requirement

A domain name idea and your AWS EC2 Public IP address.

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