When I get the WHOIS records of a domain, it contains an expiration date. So I was wondering what is the expiration date of a domain? How this date has been set? What will happen to the domain after it gets expired? Who set this date?
Network Solutions provides a breakdown of what happens during expiration and deletion periods.
In short, from the page:
If an expired domain name registration is not renewed during any grace period provided by us, pursuant to our Service Agreement, rather than delete the domain name registration, we may, in our sole discretion, renew and transfer the domain name registration to Network Solutions or to a third party on the customer’s behalf.