Foundation for National Scientific Computing
 | |
| Type: | Non-profit |
| Industry: | Academic Research |
| Founded: | 1987 |
| Headquarters: | Lisbon |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Website: | www.fccn.pt |
| Key People | |
| Pedro Veiga, Chairman | |
FCCN (Foundation for National Scientific Computing) is a Portuguese non-profit and public benefit organization dedicated to developing the national Internet. It is responsible for the design and management of RCTS, a high performance network for institutions with larger communication requirements and a platform for advance communication applications and services development and experimentation. FCCN also serves as the registry operator of the .pt ccTLD.[1] Pedro Veiga is the Chairman of the company, which is based in Lisbon, Portugal.
Background[edit | edit source]
FCCN was established in Portugal in 1987 with the goal of strengthening scientific and technological development in the country. Since its establishment, FCCN has been involved with Universities and different R&D institutions and contributed to the growth on the Internet in Portugal.
In 1991, the organization began to manage the operation of the .pt ccTLD, offering domain names for free. However, in 1996, the organization started to charge for domain name registrations at a minimal cost to cover its operational expenses. In 2001, FCCN improved its regulations managing the .pt ccTLD and created the .com.pt second level domain and offered it for free. In addition, the organization also started its domain name dispute resolution policy.[2]
FCCN has had a dual stack network since 2002, and it is IPv4 and IPv6 capable. Its network is completely ready for the implementation of IPv6. In 2005, the organization started to implement the Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) for Internet users who wish to use the Portuguese language to register their domain names. In 2008, the organization introduced a new initiative, the Portuguese Web Archive, to increase the use of Portuguese language on the Internet.[3]
In 2009, FCCN formalized its relationship with ICANN as the manager for the .pt ccTLD through an exchange letter between its chairman Pedro Viega with Dr. Paul Twomey, then president of the Internet governing body.[4] In 2010, FCCN launched its new registry website, the DNS.pt to provide a quality service to the Portuguese internet community. [5] Furthermore, in July 2010, FCCN signed the .pt root zone signed with DNSSEC to make it more secure.[6]
Mission[edit | edit source]
The main objective of FCCN is "providing advanced communication mechanisms to the research and national teaching community, helping to boost internet technologies and services in Portugal".[7]
Services[edit | edit source]
The organization provides the following services:[8]
- Connectivity and Infrastructure (RCTS IP, Advanced Communication Platform; RCTS Plus, Ethernet Virtual Private Networks and Mobility)
- Online Communication and Collaboration- (RCTS’s private Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network, ARARA Instant Communication, HD Video Studio, COLIBRI Multimedia Collaborative Environment, Tejo and Douro HD rooms, Video Conference Network and Video on Demand).
- Knowledge and Archive
- Security
- Internet Domains ending in .pt
FCCN and ICANN[edit | edit source]
FCCN is an active participant of ICANN's activities and meetings. The organization has been a member of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO)[9] and Latin American and Caribbean ccTLD Organization, LACTLD, since 2009. FCCN is also a member of the Council for European Top Level Domain Registries (CENTR).[10]