HEXONET News

2010-08-31

 COMODO Unified Communication Certs & Important Thawte Certs Update

COMODO Unified Communication Certificates - Now Available

Starting immediately, COMODO Unified Communication Certificates (UCC) are available at HEXONET.  Designed for securing multiple unique domains (including subdomains) on Microsoft Exchange or Office Communications Server, a SINGLE UC Certificate will reduce certificate costs and maintenance overhead.

What this Certificate is used for

Pricing

RESELLER:

• UCC License - 1 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 284.41 (net: 239.00) USD
• UCC License - 2 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 511.94 (net: 430.20) USD
• UCC License - 3 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 682.58 (net: 573.60) USD
• Additional Domains: 41.65 (net: 35.00) USD per Domain/Year

PREMIUM:

• UCC License - 1 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 248.71 (net: 209.00) USD
• UCC License - 2 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 447.68 (net: 376.20) USD
• UCC License - 3 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 596.90 (net: 501.60) USD
• Additional Domains: 39.27 (net: 33.00) USD per Domain/Year

PLATINUM:

• UCC License - 1 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 224.91 (net: 189.00) USD
• UCC License - 2 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 404.84 (net: 340.20) USD
• UCC License - 3 Year: Up to 3 Domains is 539.78 (net: 453.60) USD
• Additional Domains: 36.89 (net: 31.00) USD per Domain/Year

To request an UCC via our API:

[COMMAND]
COMMAND=CreateSSLCert
SSLCERTCLASS=COMODO_UCC
SERVERSOFTWARE=APACHESSL

CSR0=-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
CSR1=...
...
CSR11=...
CSR12=-----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----

ALTERNATECN0=www.example.com
ALTERNATECN1=www.example.de
ALTERNATECN2=www.example.info
PERIOD=1
FIRSTNAME=John
LASTNAME=Doe
STREET=Main Street 1234
ZIP=12345
CITY=Anytown
PROVINCE=Anystate
COUNTRY=Anycountry (ISO country code, e.g. DE for Germany)
PHONE=+491234567890 (international phone number format)
EMAIL=john@example.com
EOF

With the ALTERNATECN# parameter the alternative domain names can be specified. Please be aware that if there is no ALTERNATECN# parameter given the "Subject Alternative Names" of the CSR (Certificate
Signing Request) will be taken.

NOTICE: IMPORTANT AND IMMEDIATE CHANGE TO THAWTE CERTIFICATES

Secondary INTERMEDIATE certificates are now necessary for new Thawte SSL123 and Webserver certificate installations.  Again, newly issued Thawte SSL123 and Webserver certificate starting now require the installation of a INTERMEDIATE certificate in addition for proper operation.

Due to a change in the certification path at Thawte as well as a shift to 2048 bit root certificates, INTERMEDIATE certificates must also be installed with any new Thawte SSL certificate. For more information and also installation instructions of INTERMEDIATE certificates please visit Thawte. 

NOTE: Existing certificates are not affected by this change.

2010-08-31

 SSL Certificates Available via WHMCS

On February 16, 2010, HEXONET announced the release of registrar plugin modules (named under ispapi.net) for both WHMCS and AWBS, two of the industry's leading billing and management platforms.  Since their release, HEXONET has been constantly updating and improving the modules including the addition of new TLDs and features like IDN support.  

Today, HEXONET is excited to announce the availability of a new SSL certificate module for WHMCS.  The new module, "ispapissl" will allow resellers to quickly and easily sell HEXONET's wide selection of wholesale SSL certificates.

WHMCS Module Highlights:
- Resell a wide variety of industry recognized SSL certificates: Comodo, VeriSign, Thawte, GeoTrust
- Product Option 'Years' for Multi-Year support
- Product Option 'Certificate Type'
- Uses WHMCS configuressl.php
- TLS/SSL for API connection
- Testing mode and environment available

Where can I get the WHMCS Module?
- Download the module here
- Installation instructions in README.TXT File

In the event that you have any questions or concerns relating to this Module, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@hexonet.net.

2010-08-31

 September's "Register More Lower the Price" Promo

Throughout the month of September 2010, HEXONET will be running an .AT VOLUME pricing promotion where .AT domains (incl. .co.at and .or.at) can be registered as low as 2.14 (net price: 1.80) EUR per domain/year.

• EVERYDAY Promo Price: 3.45 (net price: 2.90) EUR per domain/year
• Volume Price for 6th to 10th registration on the same day: 2.86 (net price: 2.40) EUR per domain/year
• SUPER SPECIAL Volume Price for the 11th or more registration on the same day: 2.14 (net price: 1.80) EUR per domain/year

Rules

• Promotional prices only apply to NEW 1 year .AT registrations (.AT domain renewals and/or transfers are excluded)
• The price promotion applies to .AT, .co.AT and .or.AT .
• Tiered pricing discounts are based on registrations over a 24 hour cycle; Pricing resets to the EVERYDAY rate at the end of each day (0:00 UTC)
• Daily 24 hour volume promotion was modeled using feedback from resellers and domainers to prevent abuse.

2010-08-31

 Austria has a "Domain Capital"

NIC.AT, the official registry of the country-code Top-Level-Domain of Austria, has recently released their second NIC.AT report.  In April, we featured a blog posting that provided the inaugural analysis and report of NIC.AT that many of you enjoyed. In this post, we would like to provide a summary of the second and newest report, including some very interesting trends and statistics.

Summary:

• The .AT ccTLD continues to be in high demand. As of July 1, 2010 the .AT zone had over 939,951 registered domains.  It is expected to reach the 1,000,000 milestone by the end of this year!  This is an impressive number considering that Austria does not have a huge population base.

• Among all registrants, private individuals register an equal share of .AT domains as businesses and organisations together. Just over half (53%) of all domains are held by legal entities such as businesses and organisations, with the remainder accounted for by private individuals.

• There is a strong appetite for .AT domains from abroad. According to NIC.AT, “Demand for .AT domains from Germany are undiminished, with almost 190,000 .AT domains currently registered with German owners. The .AT suffix is also proving increasing popular among the Swiss, and somewhat surprisingly, the English.”

• Holzhausen?  This tiny town in upper Austria with a population of 800 people is the domain capital of Austria. The number of domains registered outnumber the locals with an impressive 1.58  registered .AT domains per inhabitant.

• The report also covered the imminent introduction of new gTLDs  by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). In fact, NIC.AT is leveraging their experience as a registry operator and now offers consulting services to applicants considering applying for a new gTLD. It also provides a Registry-in-a-box service to these applicants.

Why Register an .AT domain?

• If you run a business that operates in Austria or sells into Austria, an .AT is a must.
• Idioms: There is an increasing use of .AT domains to capitalize on catchy domain names that represent certain English expressions / idioms that feature ‘at’ at the end or include ‘at’ in the expression. For example, Form.at, Bureaucr.at  ‘good.at’, ‘targeted.at’, etc.  In fact, we came across the following US-based company that operates a free online  website builder for restaurants called letseat.at
• Austria does not limit the registration of .AT only to its citizens, but allows .AT domains to be registered by anyone worldwide.

Click here to access the entire NIC.AT report.

Be sure to check out our .AT Special Promotion in September!  The more .AT Domains you register the cheaper they get!

2010-08-31

 Registry Bulletin

.WS (WebSite) Price Increase Announcement

As of October 1, 2010, Global Domains International, the official registry operator of Western Samoa or .WS (used as WebSite) will be increasing prices by 0.50 USD per Domain/Year.  Due to this registry increase, HEXONET will unfortunately have to also raise .WS prices for resellers on October 1, 2010:

RESELLER: From 15.83 (net: 13.30) by 0.59 (net: 0.50) to 16.42 (net: 13.80) USD per Domain/Year

PREMIUM: From 13.57 (net: 11.40) by 0.59 (net: 0.50) to 14.16 (net: 11.90) USD per Domain/Year

PLATINUM: From 11.78 (net: 9.90) by 0.59 (net: 0.50) to 12.38 (net: 10.40) USD per Domain/Year

IMMEDIATE Change in .ES Renewal Policy

Please note the following immediate .ES Registry Renewal Policy Change:

• Renewal Accounting Period has been changed to -12Days from previously -7Days
• Renewal Finalization/Failure Period has been changed to -6Days from previously -2Days

As a result, .ES Domains will be billed 12 days prior to their respective expiration dates. Also, .ES renewals will be processed 6 days prior to their respective expiration date.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@hexonet.net.

2010-08-31

 Ongoing Promotions

Final Month for .ME Super-Saver Prices!

September is the last month for the .ME "Super-Saver-Promotion" where prices are 4.90 EUR per Domain/Year (Gross: 5.83 EUR per Domain/Year).  Get your .ME domain today as this promotion ends soon.

• Price: 5.83* (net price: 4.90) EUR per Domain/Year
• End Date: September 30, 2010
• Only NEW 1 year registrations are eligible
• Excluded are transfers and renewals

.MOBI Promotion - Save up to 52%
Until September 30th, all new one (1) year .MOBI registrations are 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD per Domain/Year.

Rules:

• End Date September 30, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Promotional Price only applies to new one (1) year registrations
• Multiyear registrations, transfers and renewals are NOT eligible
• Price promotion applies to all price classes equally

.EU.COM - THE PERFECT ALTERNATIVE TO .EU DOMAINS

ONLY until September 30th, HEXONET is promoting .EU.COM domains.  Save over 34% off the standard 20.83 (net price: 17.50) USD per Domain/Year cost.  For a limited time, .EU.COM domains are at the special price of 13.69 (net price: 11.50) USD per Domain/Year. 

Rules:

• Effective until September 30, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year NEW .EU.COM registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .EU.COM domain renewals and transfers
• Unrestricted, anybody worldwide can register an .EU.COM.

SAVE UP TO 40% ON NEW .HN REGISTRATIONS
HEXONET is directly passing savings from the .HN registry to our customers. Starting August 1, through to October 31, all NEW one (1) year .HN registrations will be at the amazing price of 33.92* (net price: 28.50) USD.

Rules:

• Effective until October 31, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year NEW .HN (example.hn) registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .HN domain renewals and transfers
• This price reductions are offered at the sole discretion of HEXONET
• This price promotion applies to all price classes equally

Save on new .SC Domains
Until October 31, 2010, register a .SC and save $20 USD on the first year's registration fee.  The promotional first year registration fee for .SC domains is 70.21 (net: 59.00) USD.  Please note that this discount ONLY applies to new .SC Second-Level one (1) year registrations. Third-Level .SC Domain registrations are NOT eligible.

If it Moves, it Belongs on a .TV Domain - EXTENDED!
Now extended through November 30, 2010, HEXONET is continueing the amazing promotion on new one (1) Year .TV domain registrations.  Promotional pricing for all new one (1) year .TV domain registrations are 13.57 (net: 11.40) USD per Domain Year.  if you have been waiting for the right time to get a TV domain, now is the time to get one!

Please note: Domain renewals, multiyear registrations and transfers are not eligible at the promotional price.

.CN.COM Promotion - Savings of up to 80%
Until December 31st, all new one (1) year registrations of .CN.COM can be registered at the amazing price of 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD.  The perfect domain alternative to the uncertain nature of .CN registrations.

Rules:

• Effective until December 31, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year new .CN.COM registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .CN.COM domain renewals and transfers
• This price reductions are offered at the sole discretion of HEXONET
• This price promotion applies to all price classes equally

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

2010-08-04

 TLD Updates - .GL Available, DNSSEC, .NZ IDNs

dot GL Added to HEXONET's TLD Offerings

HEXONET is happy to announce the immediate availability of .GL, the official ccTLD of Greenland, to the company's ever growing list of ccTLDs.  HEXONET through 1API, the official house registrar of HEXONET, is among the first registrars worldwide to be offering the .GL ccTLD to the public.

Pricing for .GL Domains

• RESELLER: 297.50 (net: 250.00) DKK per Domain/Year
• PREMIUM: 285.60 (net: 240.00) DKK per Domain/Year
• PLATINUM: 271.32 (net: 228.00) DKK per Domain/Year

• Restores: 476.00 (net: 400.00) DKK per Domain/Year

.GL Registry Information

• The registry operator is GLNIC
• WHOIS-Server: whois.nic.gl
• Registration Periods: 1 - 2 Years
• Add Grace Period: 0 Days
• Finalization Period: -1 Day
• IDN Capable: No
• Registration System: Real-Time
• Transfers: Yes
• Transfer Method: Uses authorization codes, which is provided to the registrant by the losing registrar. Successful transfers are NOT BILLED, which keeps the registration period the same.

If you have any questions about registering .GL domains, please do not hesitate to contact HEXONET at support@hexonet.net.

Is your Registrar Ready for DNSSEC?

HEXONET now fully supports DNSSEC (Secured DNS) for a number of registries.  Support for both DS based and DNSKEY based delegation ensure seamless interoperability with a wide variety of registries for today and in the future.  As DNSSEC quickly becomes a standard in the industry, HEXONET is committed to helping our clients utilize this new technology to add better security for themselves as well as their customers.

Currently Supported TLDs:

• .DE
• .ORG
• .SE
• .EU

Industry Quotes About HEXONET's DNSSEC (1API is HEXONET's House Registrar)

 "We congratulate 1API for passing the DNSSEC certification for .ORG and applaud them for taking a leadership role in the European registrar community for supporting DNSSEC." - Alexa Raad, CEO of .ORG, the Public Interest Registry

 "As pioneer in DNSSEC, .SE welcomes 1API as a registrar that can offer DNSSEC to their customers." - Danny Aerts, CEO of .SE Registry

More information on DNSSEC and HEXONET's Unified DNSSEC API extension can be found in our Support Wiki.

.NZ IDNs Now "live" at HEXONET

The DNC (Domain Name Commission) office of .NZ, the official ccTLD of New Zealand, made IDNs available on July 26th, 2010.  Registrations using Māori words and names with the IDN characters ā, ē, ī, ō and ū are now being accepted. IDNs with .NZ domains not only function exactly as other IDN domains, but are also registered in the same manner.

2010-08-04

 New August Domain Promotions - .EU.COM & .HN

.EU.COM - THE PERFECT OPEN ALTERNATIVE TO .EU DOMAINS

From August 1st through to September 30th, HEXONET is promoting .EU.COM domains.  Save over 34% off the standard 20.83 (net price: 17.50) USD per Domain/Year cost.  For a limited time, .EU.COM domains are at the special price of 13.69 (net price: 11.50) USD per Domain/Year. 

Rules:

• Effective until September 30, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year NEW .EU.COM registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .EU.COM domain renewals and transfers
• Unrestricted, anybody worldwide can register an .EU.COM.

SAVE UP TO 40% ON NEW .HN REGISTRATIONS
HEXONET is directly passing savings from the .HN registry to our customers. Starting August 1, through to October 31, all NEW one (1) year .HN registrations will be at the amazing price of 33.92* (net price: 28.50) USD.

Rules:

• Effective until October 31, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year NEW .HN (example.hn) registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .HN domain renewals and transfers
• This price reductions are offered at the sole discretion of HEXONET
• This price promotion applies to all price classes equally

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

2010-08-04

 Enhanced Virtual Server Restore and Security

vServer Restoration Now Available

Servers even up to 14 days after deletion can now be restored. The restoration fee for any of the VServer is 35.70 (net: 30.00) EUR/Server per restore. The restoration will be done in realtime.

vServer Restoration via Control Panel:

Please login to the Control Panel then navigate to Manage Products > Rootserver Admin > Restore.  Enter the "VSERVERID" of the deleted vServer in order to restore it.

vServer Restoration via API:

command = RestoreVServer
vserverid = <VSERVERID of the deleted vServer>

vServer - Secure Service Password

Starting August 10, 2010, every vServer will be automatically assigned a "Service Password".  This Service Password ensures that submitted support tickets can be verified and validated before any server level support is done.  After August 10, support tickets to support@bulk-server.net must provide either the "Server-ID" or the "Primary Server IP Address" along with this Service Password. The Service Password for a vServer can be retrieved via the Control Panel or API.

Service Password via Control Panel:
Please login to the Control Panel then navigate to Rootserver Admin > Manage Server.  Select a server and the "Service Password" can be found in the "Contract" section.

Service Password via API:

command=StatusVServer
vserverid=<Your VSERVERID>

[RESPONSE]
...
PROPERTY[SERVICEPASSWORD][0]=<your current service password>

Set "Service Password" on Server Creation:

command = CreateVServer
vserverclass = <TEXT>
vserversoftwareclass = <TEXT>
period = <INT>
vserverid = <TEXT>
servicepassword = <TEXT>

Change "Service Password" For Existing Server:

command = ModifyVServer
vserverid = <TEXT>
servicepassword = <TEXT>

For security reasons, please note that Server support teams have been instructed NOT to provide any information/support unless valid Server IDs and Passwords are provided. HEXONET thanks you for you understanding the need for these additional security measures.

2010-08-04

 .CO is Alive and Kicking

.CO Launches with a Big Bang!

July 20th, marked the day when .CO became "Generally Available" to anyone worldwide.  The .CO registry launched with a massive bang, with more than 245,000 .CO domains under management within the first 24 hours!  Truly an amazing opening. 

With most relevant and good .COM domains already taken, dot CO Domains offers infinitely new possibilities and opportunities.  Since being announced in February, .CO domains have already received tremendous support and adoption from the business and Internet communities, who applied for approx. 39,000 .CO domains during the “pre-launch” phases.  Nearly 70% of the brands listed in the Brand Finance Top 500 have registered their .CO domain, including Amazon, American Express, Apple, BMW, Cartier, Canon, CNN, Coca-Cola, Disney, Ebay, Exxon, Ford, Google, Hilton, Honda, IBM, IKEA, Kodak, McDonalds, Microsoft, MTV, Nestle, Nike, Nokia, Panasonic, Pfizer, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Toyota, Unilever, Visa, Yahoo and many more.

More Than Just Brand Protection
Many visionary companies see the new .CO domains as an opportunity to extend their brand or expand their online offerings in a way that was not previously possible due to limited availability of .com domains.  Recently, the e-commerce powerhouse Overstock.com announced it paid $350,000.00 USD to acquire ‘O.CO’ to target new audiences and expand its global brand.

Unprecedented New Opportunities
Today’s Internet is crowded and lacking in opportunities for those who wish to establish a presence online.  After 25 years, nearly all of the recognizable or marketable .com domain names have been claimed, making it exceedingly difficult for start-ups and established companies alike to acquire meaningful domain names for their businesses and products.

Global Recognition
Whereas most other TLDs focus on a particular niche or region, .CO domain names – like .com names – are generally flexible for use in a wide variety of activities, including promoting companies, content providers, communities, contests and countless other applications.  The “co” in .CO already has broad global recognition as a pseudonym for “company,” “corporation,” and “commerce.” In addition, more than 20 countries around the world currently use “.co” in their country specific domains, including the UK (.co.uk), Japan (.co.jp), Israel (.co.il), and others, further fueling .CO’s global awareness and adoption. To date, .CO domain applications have been received from 113 countries.

.CO Prices at HEXONET:

• Reseller: 33.32 (net price: 28.00) USD per Domain/Year
• Premium: 31.54 (net price: 26.50) USD per Domain/Year
• Platinum: 29.51 (net price: 24.80) USD per Domain/Year

Third-Level .CO Domains Prices:

• com.co (example.com.co)
• net.co (example.net.co)
• nom.co (example.nom.co)

• Reseller: 17.26 (net: 14.50) USD per Domain/Year
• Premium: 15.35 (net: 12.90) USD per Domain/Year
• Platinum: 13.57 (net: 11.40) USD per Domain/Year

In the event you are interested in registering a large volume of .CO domains, please do not hesitate to contact our Sales Department at sales@hexonet.net.

2010-08-04

 Why Businesses Need a .BIZ Domain

Businesses today rely on the Internet for sales, marketing, communications, and a myriad of other required services for optimal growth.  And though many use .COM as their primary domain, the need for other domain extensions have surfaced, especially .BIZ.

Good Credible Domain Names Still Available:

For many years now, finding a relevant .COM domain name for business has been extremely difficult.  With just over two (2) million registered .BIZ domain names, a .BIZ domain provides the perfect balance of both relevance and name availability.  This is because there are many good names remaining and the fact that the .BIZ TLD has long established itself as a credible TLD to own.  The Registry has been around since 2001 and is today the 10th largest registry worldwide.

Clarity of Purpose:

Being efficient and direct are keys to business success.  And with a .BIZ domain name people distinctly and expressly know the usage and/or content associated with the respective .BIZ domain is specifically for business purposes.  Visitors and users to a .BIZ domain name are there with purpose and is a great way to filter serious inquiries verses just lookie-loos.

Quick Facts About .BIZ:

• gTLD 2 Million domains names on June 23, 2009, 10th most registered TLD
• The Business-focused g TLD with no geographic qualification
• .BIZ is no different than other tlds such as .com in regards to search results.  Optimization and promotion are key to .BIZ becoming more prevalent in search results.
• 33.5% of the .BIZ domains are used for the business and computers category
• Many registrants are business leaders of small companies with 59% being President, CEO, or Owner
• Sample .biz websites include:  www.mqm.biz, www.billboard.biz, www.badtothebone.biz, www.cmic.biz, and others!

If you are interested in registering large volumes of .BIZ Domains or you would like to migrate your .BIZ Domains to HEXONET, please contact sales@hexonet.net and allow us to make you an offer.

2010-08-04

 Ongoing Promotions

.ME Super-Saver Promotion - Ongoing!
July 17, 2010 marked the second anniversary of the .ME registry.  HEXONET would like to congratulate our friends at the .ME registry for a job well done.  In the past two years the registry has done an amazing job in creating awareness for .ME worldwide.   And for their efforts .ME has grown to more than 400,000 domains.

HEXONET is currently running a .ME "Super-Saver-Promotion" at the amazing price of 4.90 EUR per Domain/Year (Gross: 5.83 EUR per Domain/Year).  Get your .ME domain today!

• Price: 5.83* (net price: 4.90) EUR per Domain/Year
• End Date: September 30, 2010
• Only NEW 1 year registrations are eligible
• Excluded are transfers and renewals

If it Moves, it Belongs on a .TV Domain - HOT PROMO!
Running through August 31, 2010, HEXONET is offering an amazing promotion on new one (1) Year .TV domain registrations.  The amazing promotion price is nearly 50% off.  Promotional pricing for all new one (1) year .TV domain registrations are 13.57 (net: 11.40) USD per Domain Year.  if you been waiting for the right time to get a TV domain, now is the time to get one!

Please note: Domain renewals, multiyear registrations and transfers are not eligible at the promotional price.

Save on new .SC Domains
.SC promo running through October 31, 2010!  Register a .SC and save $20 USD on the first year's registration fee.  The promotional first year registration fee for .SC domains is 70.21 (net: 59.00) USD.  Please note that this discount ONLY applies to new .SC Second-Level one (1) year registrations. Third-Level .SC Domain registrations are NOT eligible.

.MOBI Promotion - Save up to 52%
Still ongoing is the .MOBI Promotion.  Until September 30th, all new one (1) year .MOBI registrations are 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD per Domain/Year.

Rules:

• End Date September 30, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Promotional Price only applies to new one (1) year registrations
• Multiyear registrations, transfers and renewals are NOT eligible
• Price promotion applies to all price classes equally

.CN.COM Promotion - Act NOW Savings of up to 80%
As a great alternative to .CN, HEXONET is seeing a huge spike in demand for .CN.COM domains. HEXONET is pleased to be extending our special price promotion on .CN.COM domains.  Until December 31st, all new one (1) year registrations of .CN.COM can be registered at the amazing price of 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD.

Rules:

• Effective until December 31, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year new .CN.COM registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .CN.COM domain renewals and transfers
• This price reductions are offered at the sole discretion of HEXONET
• This price promotion applies to all price classes equally

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

2010-06-29

 Are .US Domain Names Undervalued?

Knowing the Market

With the increasing valuations of country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs) recently, there has been lots of market hype.  This buzz is no surprise to HEXONET, as we have long touted the intrinsic value of ccTLDs and is the very reason why ccTLDs have been core to our business years earlier.  As a result, HEXONET today has one of the widest selections of ccTLDs anywhere including many real-time features and support not available elsewhere.

A perfect example of HEXONET’s focus on ccTLDs is in the field of domain backordering.  Though there are many established backordering service companies in the market, these currently don´t have ccTLDs available in their service sets. ccTLD procurement requires specialized expertise and many years of operational knowledge to get it done correctly.  Because HEXONET has been on the forefront of ccTLDs for years, this is why we can today offer 14 different TLDs to backorder, many of which are ccTLDs.

The Potential of .US Domains

Having first hand knowledge and expertise on ccTLDs, one ccTLD that is of interest to HEXONET is .US.  A key metric that we consider in determining the potential upside of a ccTLD is the ratio of registrations to the overall population of the respective country.  For instance, for Germany this ratio is 16% (13.5M/83M).  The UK the ratio is 13.9% (8.5M/61M).  And for the Netherlands the ratio is 22.6% (3.8M/16.8M).  The interesting part for .US is that this ratio is extremely low at 1.5M registered .US domains with 310 inhabitants (0.5%).  Even after one considers the effect of .COM being the preferred TLD for most Americans, this ratio is still significantly low.

Over time and with recent efforts from the Registry to delivery new services like a Registry Lock Service or provide a .US URL Shortener Service, awareness will grow and the upside is potential huge.  The following facts about the .US ccTLD and the United States in general are very compelling:

• Many desirable Internet addresses are still available
• Businesses use .US domain names to promote themselves as American companies to inspire consumer confidence and to encourage consumers to “buy American.”
• .US enables domestic and international firms of every size and industry classification to protect their trademarks and establish their corporate identities online in the United States
• Recently, .US has been positioned as US, a social community based domain with presence here in the United States and around the world
• Most of the .US domains (86%) are registered and used in USA as expected
• Business related domains provide a strong registration base – 25.9% of .US domains fall into the Business category

The .US Promotion

Don't miss our .US PROMOTION currently running at HEXONET ... details

2010-06-29

 Important Registry News Bulletin

.TEL IDNs are "Live"

HEXONET is proud to announce that the first .TEL IDN registered was "ärzte.tel" - doctors.tel and that HEXONET (1API GmbH) was the registrar behind this domain, which was secured for our customer.  We proudly achieved a > 90% success rate for all pre-registered .TEL IDNs through HEXONET for our clients.  This success is due to HEXONET's newly developed "Go-Live" registration platform, which has been tuned and engineered specifically for "Go-Live" pre-registrations.  Most future "Go-Live" pre-registrations with HEXONET will be using this new system.  Please remember that successful pre-registrations aquired by HEXONET are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, so please don't hesitate place your pre-registrations as soon as possible.

Note: All .TEL IDN pre-registrations that were succesfully registered are now active.

.NZ Price Reduction Announcement - Reminder!

   Recently, InternetNZ, the official operator of the country code Top-Level-Domain of New Zealand, announced a major price drop for .NZ domains.  Effective July 1, 2010, .NZ domains will drop 3.00 NZD per Domain/Year.  HEXONET is happy to directly pass these savings on to our customers. Therefore, as of July 1, 2010 the new price for .NZ domains:

• Reseller: Reduced from 42.60* (net price: 35.80) NZD to 39.03* (net price: 32.80) NZD per Domain/Year
• Premium: Reduced from 37.25* (net price: 31.30) NZD to 33.68* (net price: 28.30) NZD per Domain/Year
• Platinum: Reduced from 28.56* (net price: 24.00) NZD to 24.99* (net price: 21.00) NZD per Domain/Year

* The GROSS price include Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

VeriSign Inc. to increase .COM and .NET Prices - Reminder!

 VeriSign Inc., the official gTLD Registry of .COM and .NET, has announced price increases for .COM by 0.57* (net: 0.48) USD and .NET by 0.50* (net: 0.42) USD in July of 2010.

.COM - July 1, 2010 - HEXONET Prices

• Reseller: Increasing by 0.57* (net: 0.48) USD to 12.35* (net price: 10.38) USD per Domain/Year
• Premium: Increasing by 0.57* (net: 0.48) USD to 11.16* (net price: 9.38) USD per Domain/Year
• Platinum: Increasing by 0.57* (net: 0.48) USD to 9.85* (net price: 8.28) USD per Domain/Year

.NET - July 1, 2010 - HEXONET Prices

• Reseller: Increasing by 0.50* (net: 0.42) USD to 10.73* (net price: 9.02) USD per Domain/Year
• Premium: Increasing by 0.50* (net: 0.42) USD to 9.31* (net price: 7.82) USD per Domain/Year
• Platinum: Increasing by 0.50* (net: 0.42) USD to 7.76* (net price: 6.52) USD per Domain/Year

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

IMPORTANT: As of July 1, 2010, .COM and .NET prices will automatically be adjusted for all customers and all price classes.

New VeriSign Authorization Code Requirements for .NAME

VeriSign, the official registry provider for .NAME, will soon be upgrading the security of their authorization code (auth code) and transfer system that will effect all registrars and registrants. This update will require all auth codes, for existing and future domains, to consist of the following to be valid:

• at least eight (8) characters,
• having at least one (1) numeric,
• one (1) alphabetic, and
• one (1) special character

HEXONET Customers:

• System updates will take effect on Saturday, August 14th, 2010
• New registrations without auth code will automatically be assigned auth codes that comply with the new registry requirements
• Existing domains must have their auth codes updated according to the new regulation after system upgrade.
• For API connected clients, the OT&E is already compliant with the new regulations and can be used to test immediately.

Large HEXONET Customers - Automatic Auth Code Updating Service:

• If you have a large domain portfolio or simply would like HEXONET to automatically update the authcode for all your .NAME domains, please send an email to support@hexonet.net and we will be more than happy to update your domains free of charge.

Notice for Registrants to confirm their .CN Domain Name Registration Information

According to the policy in Article 28th of "China Internet Domain Name Regulations": applicant for domain name shall submit true, accurate and complete domain name registration information and sign a registrant agreement with domain name registrar. Upon completion of domain name registration, applicant of domain name will become a registered domain name holder (registrant). 

Domain name holder’s true, accurate and complete domain name registration information is a certificate of rights for domain name transfer and information change. In order to protect registrant rights of being domain name holder, CNNIC required all domain name holders to confirm the registration information from today via CNNIC new launched online system which will be sent directly to registrants.

2010-06-29

 Technical Recommendation - High Performance Proxy

For those resellers who are located in a country far from Germany, network latency may be an issue.  To greatly increase response times and performance, HEXONET highly recommends the use of persistent connections to our API servers.  Use of this technique will reduce connection overhead and thus increase performance. 

Step 1: Required Apache2 Packages and Modules

• Apache version 2.2.9 or higher is required.
• The following Apache2 modules must be installed and activated:

  proxy.conf proxy.load proxy_http.load ssl.conf # for HTTPs connection to our API server ssl.load # for HTTPs connection to our API server

Step 2: Apache Configuration

• Apache configuration with binding to localhost.
• The following Apache2 modules must be installed and activated:

  <VirtualHost 127.0.0.1:80>         ServerAdmin webmaster@localhost         ServerSignature Off         SSLProxyEngine on         ProxyPass /api/call.cgi https://api.ispapi.net/api/call.cgi min=1 max=2         <Proxy *>                 Order Deny,Allow                 Deny from none                 Allow from all         </Proxy> </VirtualHost>

• After saving your configuration changes please restart the Apache webserver.

Step 3: Use the proxy on localhost as API socket

• If your current API socket URL probably looks like this:

  https://api.ispapi.net/api/call.cgi?s_entity=ENTITY&s_login=LOGIN&s_pw=PASSWORD

• Please change this to:

  http://127.0.0.1/api/call.cgi?s_entity=ENTITY&s_login=LOGIN&s_pw=PASSWORD

Questions or additional help with the High Performance Proxy setup can be sent to technical Support at support@hexonet.net

2010-06-29

 Exciting New Promotions

NEW: .MOBI Promotion - Save upto 52%
Starting July 1st through to September 30th, all new one (1) year .MOBI registrations will be 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD per Domain/Year.

Rules:

• End Date September 30, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Promotional Price only applies to new one (1) year registrations
• Multiyear registrations, transfers and renewals are NOT eligible
• Price promotion applies to all price classes equally

NEW: .CN.COM Promotion - Super Saving upto 80%
CentralNic announced a price promotion for .CN.COM domains that HEXONET is happy to extend to our customers.  Starting July 1st through December 31st, all new one (1) year registrations of .CN.COM will be at the amazing price of 9.40* (net price: 7.90) USD.

Rules:

• Effective until December 31, 2010
• Only applies for one (1) year new .CN.COM registrations
• Excluded from the promotion are .CN.COM domain renewals and transfers
• This price reductions are offered at the sole discretion of HEXONET
• This price promotion applies to all price classes equally

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

2010-06-29

 Counting down to .CO "Go-Live" - Don't Miss Out!

The .CO "Go-Live" countdown has begun! All Landrush domains have been submitted to the registry and any new Landrush applications can be submitted for registration until July 13, 2010.  Now is the time to pre-register .CO domains for "Go-Live":

Dates, Pricing and Information:

• Pre-Registrations for "Go Live": Until July 19, 2010, 09:00 UTC
• Go-Live: July 20, 2010
• Registration Fees: Only charged upon successful registration
• "Go Live" Prices:

          o Reseller: 33.32 (net price: 28.00) USD per Domain/Year
          o Premium: 31.54 (net price: 26.50) USD per Domain/Year
          o Platinum: 29.51 (net price: 24.80) USD per Domain/Year

• Who can register ?

          o Anyone in the world is able to register
          o No domicile or burdensome documentation

To read more on .CO pre-registrations, please visit our Pre-registration page.  Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Support at support@hexonet.net.

2010-06-29

 Ongoing Promotions

.ME Super-Saver Promotion - Extended!
Based on the tremendous success of our .ME promo, HEXONET is pleased to announce the promotion is extended until September 30th, 2010 with adjusted pricing.  With HEXONET's low 5.83* (net price: 4.90) EUR promotion, we are seeing a flood of .ME domain registrations.   Get your .ME domain while promotional pricing lasts.

•  Price: 5.83* (net price: 4.90) EUR per Domain/Year
•  End Date: September 30, 2010
•  Only new 1 year registrations are eligible
•  Excluded are transfers and renewals

Latest News on .ME:

The dot ME Registry just announced that in "Just two years after the world first heard of Montenegro’s top-level domain, .ME, more than 400,000 .ME domains have been registered. Several by some of the biggest names on the Internet -- including Facebook, Yahoo, WordPress, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. These companies have snapped up .ME domains to draw attention to their online products and services."

To read the official Press Release please visit the .ME News section.

If it Moves, it Belongs on a .TV Domain - HOT PROMO!
Running through August 31, 2010, HEXONET is offering an amazing promotion on new one (1) Year .TV domain registrations.  The amazing promotion price is nearly 50% off.  Promotional pricing for all new one (1) year .TV domain registrations are 13.57 (net: 11.40) USD per Domain Year.  if you been waiting for the right time to get a TV domain, now is the time to get one!

Please note: Domain renewals, multiyear registrations and transfers are not eligible at the promotional price.
 
.CC Special - TIERED DISCOUNT PROMO
Until July 31, 2010, HEXONET is offering special tiered discounts on all new one (1) year .CC domain registrations.

Pricing Levels:

• Everyday Promo Price: 14.04* (net price: 11.80) USD per Domain/Year
• Volume Pricing on 6th – 10th registration on the same day: 13.69* (net price: 11.50) USD per Domain/Year
• SUPER SPECIAL Volume Price for the 10th or more registration on the same day: 12.97* (net price: 10.90) USD per domain/year.

Rules:

• End Date July 31, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Promotional Price only applies to new one (1) year registrations
• Multiyear registrations, transfers and renewals are NOT eligible
• Tiered pricing discounts are based on registrations over a 24 hour cycle; Pricing resets to the special everyday rate at the end of each day (0:00 UTC)
• IDNs are included in this promotion
• Daily 24 hour volume promotion was modeled using feedback from resellers and domainers to prevent abuse

 
Save on new .SC Domains
Starting June 1, 2010 through to October 31, 2010, everyone saves $20 USD on the first year's registration fee for new .SC domain registrations.  The promotional first year registration fee for .SC domains is 70.21 (net: 59.00) USD.  Please note that this discount ONLY applies to new .SC Second-Level one (1) year registrations. Third-Level .SC Domain registrations are NOT eligible.
 
.BIZ – The TLD for Businesses – TIERED DISCOUNT PROMO
Until July 31, 2010, HEXONET is offering special tiered discounts on all new 1 year .BIZ domain registrations.

Pricing Levels:

• Everyday Promo Price: 9.28* (net price: 7.80) USD per Domain/Year
• Volume Pricing on 6th – 10th registration on the same day: 9.04* (net price: 7.60) USD per Domain/Year
• SUPER SPECIAL Volume Price for the 10th or more registration on the same day: 8.81* (net price: 7.40) USD per domain/year.

Rules:

• End Date July 31, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Promotional Price only applies to new one (1) year registrations
• Multiyear registrations, transfers and renewals are NOT eligible
• Tiered pricing discounts are based on registrations over a 24 hour cycle; Pricing resets to the special everyday rate at the end of each day (0:00 UTC)
• IDNs are included in this promotion
• Daily 24 hour volume promotion was modeled using feedback from resellers and domainers to prevent abuse

.US – Celebrate 4th of July with the TLD for the United States of America
Until July 31, 2010, HEXONET is offering special discounts on .US domains for single and multi-year registrations, as well as, transfers and domain renewals.

Prices:

• 7.97* (net price: 6.70) USD per Domain/Year for ALL price classes

Rules:

• End Date July 31, 2010 at 08:00 UTC
• Multiyear registrations eligible
• Transfers and Renewals eligible
• IDNs eligible

* The GROSS price includes Germany's 19% VAT; many resellers pay the lower NET price without VAT.

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