Currently I'm using my school web server to host my site, So the name of the site is http://students.oneonta.edu etc, If I buy a Domain name can I simply make that name change to my domain name on that web server? Or do i need my own hosting to do so.

Thank You

-Michael Mattera

Depends!

Do you have the access to add virtualhosts to the school server?

Hrmmm, I dunno, Probably not....Is there anyway I could find out?

That will be a No! then.

You will required your own hosting to host your domain. Once you host your domain then you will have to upload your contents from your school server to your hosting server.

I think you can start with free web hosting account then. After that you will need to change domain name servers for the domain name, upload content.

Some (most) of free web hosts might not allow you have TLD domain name and to register any TLD domain name you should 18+ year old of age.

Easiest way would be to buy the domain and at the registrar set it to redirect to your current website

I agree with web intellect. It's probably easiest for you to start with a free host til you get established then go with a good paid host.