The name test is a top-level domain (TLD) that is intended for use in the testing of software. The name was reserved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in RFC 2606 (June 1999) and is not intended to ever be installed into the global Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet. Because neither test nor any of its subdomains can be registered, they can be used for testing purposes without fear of conflicts with current or future domain names.
Reserved DNS names
Test DNS 01 -
In 1999, the Internet Engineering Task Force reserved the DNS labels example, invalid, localhost, and test so that they may not be installed into the root zone of the Domain Name System.
The reason for reservation of these top-level domain names is to reduce the likelihood of conflict and confusion. This allows the use of these names for either documentation purposes or in local testing scenarios.
Types
IANA distinguishes the following groups of top-level domains:
- infrastructure top-level domain (ARPA)
- generic top-level domains (gTLD)
- restricted generic top-level domains (grTLD)
- sponsored top-level domains (sTLD)
- country code top-level domains (ccTLD)
- test top-level domains (tTLD)
References
