What is a subdomain name?
In the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, a subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain. Subdomains generally look like name.domain.com, e.g. john.my-best-domain.com. It is important to know that 'www' is also a subdomain of your domain name and is created by default. Both www.my-best-domain.com and my-best-domain.com will open your website.
How do I add a subdomain name?
To add a new subdomain and activate it, you must first have an active domain in your account. Here's what you will have to fill in the form:
Subdomain: Choose a name and write it in the prefix field. In case you have multiple domains in your account, chose the domain using the drop-down menu.
IP address: In case you have purchased a dedicated IP, you may set it for the new subdomain from the drop-down menu.
Specify path for files: If you leave it blank, a default folder will be automatically created, labelled after the subdomain name you have specified above. You may choose a different folder that already exists by using the button on the right.
Set Error 404 page: If you leave it blank, the Apache's web server default page will be used. You may type in the URL (e.g. http://www.my-best-domain.com/404.html) of your own custom page, which you'd like to appear when a visitor requests a wrong or non-existing page/folder within the current subdomain.
Activate FrontPage Extensions: Check the box to activate FPE for this subdomain, or leave it blank to disable FPE.
Activate access & error logs: To enable or disable the saving of access and error logs for this subdomain, just mark or unmark this checkbox.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL): If you do not want to use SSL or to disable it for the current subdomain, simply select 'Do not use SSL' from the drop-down menu.
What is SSL and how do I activate it?
SSL stands short for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL works by using a private key to encrypt data that's transferred over the SSL connection. All web browsers support SSL and many websites use this protocol to obtain confidential user information, such as credit card numbers. By convention, URLs that require an SSL connection start with https:// instead of http://.
To activate SSL for a domain or subdomain name, you must complete the following steps:
1. Obtain an independent (dedicated) IP address from the IP Manager section of the Control Panel. You will need to purchase a dedicated IP by using the Upgrade Services menu.
2 a. If you do not have a signed certificate, you can use one with our signature. In this case select Generate SSL certificate from the drop-down menu. In case you need a .csr file to be sent for signing to a Certificate Authority, you may generate one by using the Generate CSR section of the Control Panel.
2 b. If you want to upload a certificate of your own, which has been already signed, select Upload SSL certificate from the drop-down menu and then fill in all four fields, which will appear – the Key, the Certificate, the Request and the Certificate Authority.
When ready, click on the
Add Subdomain button.