I am thinking of setting up a virtual server to host a couple websites. I am only going to have 1 ip so i wll user virtual hosting by name. My question is, after i register a domain name how does it know to send http request to my server? Is there dns stuff somewhere I have to config or does the httpd.conf file do that?

Thanks

If you are running your own Primary DNS server, you need to configure it, as per the DNS-HOWTO. If DNS service is provided by your isp, you don't need to do anything. Just make sure their record for the web addresses point to your IP Address.

ok so the dns server and web server can have the same ip address then right?

Go with www.zoneedit.com (they have free and paid services, depending on the usage patterns), they're really good, and they even support a whole range of dynamic IP clients.

The steps to get your domain resolving to your IP address are:

1. Register the domain name.
2. Set the nameservers in your WHOIS record to your DNS servers (be it ZoneEdit, your ISP's or your own). If you used an OpenSRS registrar (most small companies are nowadays), you can do it from https://manage.opensrs.net/. If you are unsure, ask your registrar.
3. Edit your DNS server's zone settings accordingly (define A, CNAME, MX, e.t.c. records that suit your needs).
4. Configure the web server to respond to HTTP requests from that domain name.

Note that once you update your WHOIS record, it may take anywhere from 24-96 hours to make the changes active, so allocate at least a week for this project just to be safe.

P.S. You need at least two unique DNS servers in your WHOIS. If you only have one box/one IP available, you have to go with your ISP's or ZoneEdit's DNS servers.

Any suggestions on a good place to find the info on how to do steps 3 and 4 of that list.

I appreciate your time, its helping me a lot.

3. Read a dns tutorial. Or ask whoever is managing you dns.

4. Read about virtualhosts in the docs or some tutorials.
(google for it and you should be up and going in 5)