[thelist] quick domain/dns records question

[Hassan Schroeder]

Chris W. Parker wrote:

> my boss just pointed out to me that http://lamarathon.com and
> http://www.lamarathon.com/ point to two separate websites.
>
> doesn't there have to be a dns entry for both domains? i.e.
> www.domain.com and domain.com are separate records correct?

Those aren't two domains -- the second is a domain, the first is
(generally) a host within that domain.

> if this is true then it could possibly be clerical error as to why they
> are not pointing to the same website correct?

Yes, but it has nothing to do with DNS -- both addresses in this
case point to the same IP address...

> if this is not true, what does that mean? there cannot be two separate
> owners on the same domain name, so i think the first case is true.

..which means that this machine supports name-based virtual servers,
and you'll get different content depending on the hostname requested.

It's unusual to have two entirely different sites delivered this way
though, and it could be an error, or it could just be wierd :-)

HTH!
--
Hassan Schroeder ----------------------------- hassan at webtuitive.com
Webtuitive Design ===  (+1) 408-938-0567   === http://webtuitive.com

                           dream.  code.