Editing Domain Name System (section)

===Domain name space===
The domain name space consists of a [[Tree (data structure)|tree data structure]]. Each node or leaf in the tree has a ''label'' and zero or more ''resource records'' (RR), which hold information associated with the domain name.  The domain name itself consists of the label, concatenated with the name of its parent node on the right, separated by a dot.{{Ref RFC|1034|rsection=3.1}}

The tree sub-divides into ''zones'' beginning at the [[DNS root zone|root zone]].  A [[DNS zone]] may consist of as many domains and subdomains as the zone manager chooses.  DNS can also be partitioned according to ''class'' where the separate classes can be thought of as an array of parallel namespace trees.{{Ref RFC|1034|rsection=4.2}}

[[Image:Domain name space.svg|right|thumb|400px|The hierarchical Domain Name System for class ''Internet'', organized into zones, each served by a name server]]

Administrative responsibility for any zone may be divided by creating additional zones. Authority over the new zone is said to be ''delegated'' to a designated name server. The parent zone ceases to be authoritative for the new zone.{{Ref RFC|1034|rsection=4.2}}