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We'll assume that if you found ICANN Wiki, you likely understand what a domain name and DNS is and have an understanding of what root servers are.
'''Alternative Root Servers''' or the '''Alternative Domain Servers''' provides users with alternative gTLDs not currently available in ICANN space. The control of the official [[Internet]] is mostly in the hands of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ([[ICANN]]). [[IANA]], a department of [[ICANN]], has full control over the ‘root’ server, which is a file on a computer that is kept at Herndon, Virginia. This file works as the official list of domain names on the Internet.  <ref name="link1">[http://www.iana.org/about]</ref>


For those who would desire a quick refresher, [[DNS]] is a hierarchical system designed to, among other things, allow us humans to use text strings to access content or services by converting those strings as shorthand for the IP addresses (instead of having to learn or memorize numbers) on the global information network. (Grossly oversimplified)
The [[DNS]] is a hierarchical system designed to allow humans to use text strings to access content or services in place of IP addresses on a global information network. Operating systems have been distributed for decades with the listing of default DNS servers to use as the authoritative place to obtain an answer when searching for a [[TLD]]. There are 13 [[Root Server]]s in that file, and they comprise the [[Internet]]'s main DNS root. In addition to the Internet's main DNS root working in agreement with [[ICANN]], several organizations operate [[Alternative Root Servers]] (often referred to as "alt roots"). Each alternative root has its own set of root nameservers and its own set of TLDs.
 
Operating systems now have been distributed for decades with the listing of the default DNS servers to use as the authoritative place to obtain an answer when searching for a [[TLD]]. There are thirteen root servers in that file, and these are most often described as being the Internet's main DNS root. (Grossly oversimplified)
 
In addition to the Internet's main DNS root (currently consisting of 13 nominal root servers working in agreement with [[ICANN]]), several organizations operate [[alternate root servers]] (often referred to as alt roots). Each alternative root has its own set of root nameservers and its own set of TLDs (TLDs).
 
These are hierarchical structures that can peacefully co-exist, save for when there is an overlap, such as two separate root systems adding an identical TLD.
 
Conflicts can occur in user experience and functionality when there are identical TLDs that do not match in their delegation, which is why some form of centralized coordination is important in adding names to roots, such as we see with ICANN.
 
Coordination on the scale that is required to encompass many voices and views takes time. The time required to build consensus is glacial in contrast to the pace of Internet pioneering and innovation commonly seen. The addition of TLDs to these alternative roots proved to be a more agile solution, yet it meant that only people could view sites or send email to people using domains in these alternative TLDs. This could be improved through the use of special helper applications, or if a custom configuration was made to their computer, or to their nameservers, or a custom configuration at an ISP upstream in the DNS heirchy. None of these solutions were as comprehensive as being listed in the default nameservers that are seen when an operating system starts.
 
This lent itself to the ICANN proclamation of one true root, a way to avoid such collisions by working through consensus in their process. Yet this announcement was not entirely embraced or uncontrovercial.
 
The .biz TLD created by Pacific Root was in operation before ICANN proposed running .biz, and at least one of the alternative root servers resolves .biz to Pacific Root's. There are .biz domain names that exist in different roots and point to different IP addresses. The possibility of such conflicts, and their potential for destabilizing the Internet, is the main source of controversy surrounding alt roots.
 
Alt roots can in general be divided into two groups; those run for idealistic or ideological reasons, and those run as profit-making enterprises.
 
Whilst technically trivial to set up, actually running a reliable root server network in the long run is a serious undertaking, requiring multiple servers to be kept running 24/7 in geographically diverse locations. During the dot-com boom, some alt-root providers believed that there were substantial profits to be made from providing alternative top-level domains. Only a small proportion of ISPs actually use any of the zones served by alt-root operators, generally sticking to the ICANN-specified root servers. This in turn led to the commercial failure of several alternative DNS root providers.
 
== List of alternative root zones or registries ==
 
Among the most well-known alt-root zones are:


==Alternative Root or Registry Projects==
Alternative Root Servers have been in existence since 1995, when several groups of Internet users found out that they didn’t have choices other than [[.com]], [[.org]]], and so on. Alt roots can in general be divided into two groups; those run for idealistic or ideological reasons, and those run as profit-making enterprises.
* Open Root Server Network (ORSN)
* Open Root Server Network (ORSN)
* Open Root Server Confederation (ORSC)
* Open Root Server Confederation (ORSC)
Line 39: Line 19:
* Cesidian Root Alternate Link
* Cesidian Root Alternate Link
* iDNS i-DNS.net International
* iDNS i-DNS.net International
Also Identified Alternative Roots
* BORN : Business Oriented Root Network
* BORN : Business Oriented Root Network
* ONIC : The OpenNIC Project
* ONIC : The OpenNIC Project
* CINICS : Common Interest Network Information Center Society (Jefsey Morsin)
* CINICS : Common Interest Network Information Center Society (Jefsey Morsin)
== Some Alternative Namespaces look confusingly similar to the existing ICANN namespace ==
* INIAC
* INIAC
* Public-Root
* Public-Root
Line 53: Line 27:
* NBA
* NBA
* UCDA
* UCDA
* Handshake
* Ethereum
* Unstoppable
* .chn
* Russian National Domain Name System
==Issues==
* [[Name Collision]]: Conflicts can occur in user experience and functionality when there are identical TLDs that do not match in their delegation, which is why some form of centralized coordination is important in adding names to roots, such as we see with ICANN. The .biz TLD created by Pacific Root was in operation before ICANN proposed running .biz, and at least one of the alternative root servers resolves .biz to Pacific Root's. There are .biz domain names that exist in different roots and point to different IP addresses. The possibility of such conflicts, and their potential for destabilizing the Internet, is the main source of controversy surrounding alt roots.
* Lack of [[Internet Governance|governance]], especially in decentralized systems such as that making use of [[Blockchain]].<ref>Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021</ref> However, the [[Multi-stakeholder Model|coordination]] required to encompass many voices and views and build consensus is glacial in contrast to the pace of pioneering and innovation in unregulated spaces.
* [[Data Privacy]]:
* [[Cybersecurity|security]]:
* Functionality: Only people could view sites or send emails to people using domains in these alternative TLDs. This could be improved through the use of special helper applications, or if a custom configuration was made to their computer, or to their nameservers, or a custom configuration at an ISP upstream in the DNS hierarchy. None of these solutions were as comprehensive as being listed in the default nameservers that are seen when an operating system starts. Whilst technically trivial to set up, actually running a reliable root server network, in the long run, is a serious undertaking, requiring multiple servers to be kept running 24/7 in geographically diverse locations. During the dot-com boom, some alt-root providers believed that there were substantial profits to be made from providing alternative top-level domains. Only a small proportion of ISPs actually use any of the zones served by alt-root operators, generally sticking to the ICANN-specified root servers. This in turn led to the commercial failure of several alternative DNS root providers.
* Costs:
* [[IP|brand protection]]:
==ICANN's stance==
In 2012, ICANN conveyed its opposition to alternative roots in "ICP-3: A Unique, Authoritative Root for the DNS" <ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/unique-authoritative-root-2012-02-25-en?routing_type=path ICP-3: A Unique, Authoritative Root for the DNS]</ref>. This document incorporates, by reference, "RFC2826: IAB Technical Comment on the Unique DNS Root" <ref>[http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2826.txt RFC2826: IAB Technical Comment on the Unique DNS Root]</ref>.


== External links ==
In November 2021, ICANN published a blog post reiterating [https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/buyer-beware-not-all-names-are-created-equal-24-11-2021-en buyer beware when it comes to alternative root servers].


* Unified Root
==References==
* Open Root Server Confederation
* the dot love company
* Open Root Server Network
[[Category:Tips]]

Revision as of 19:28, 1 December 2021

Alternative Root Servers or the Alternative Domain Servers provides users with alternative gTLDs not currently available in ICANN space. The control of the official Internet is mostly in the hands of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). IANA, a department of ICANN, has full control over the ‘root’ server, which is a file on a computer that is kept at Herndon, Virginia. This file works as the official list of domain names on the Internet. [1]

The DNS is a hierarchical system designed to allow humans to use text strings to access content or services in place of IP addresses on a global information network. Operating systems have been distributed for decades with the listing of default DNS servers to use as the authoritative place to obtain an answer when searching for a TLD. There are 13 Root Servers in that file, and they comprise the Internet's main DNS root. In addition to the Internet's main DNS root working in agreement with ICANN, several organizations operate Alternative Root Servers (often referred to as "alt roots"). Each alternative root has its own set of root nameservers and its own set of TLDs.

Alternative Root or Registry Projects[edit | edit source]

Alternative Root Servers have been in existence since 1995, when several groups of Internet users found out that they didn’t have choices other than .com, .org], and so on. Alt roots can in general be divided into two groups; those run for idealistic or ideological reasons, and those run as profit-making enterprises.

  • Open Root Server Network (ORSN)
  • Open Root Server Confederation (ORSC)
  • OpenNIC Site charter
  • AlterNIC (ANIC)(stopped in 1997)
  • eDNS (stopped in 1998??)
  • Iperdome (stopped in 1999) see the announcement
  • .WEB IODesign
  • Root
  • name.space
  • New.Net / Vendare
  • UnifiedRoot
  • dotLOVE - endorsed and supported by Dr. Masaru Emoto (of What the Bleep? fame)
  • Cesidian Root Alternate Link
  • iDNS i-DNS.net International
  • BORN : Business Oriented Root Network
  • ONIC : The OpenNIC Project
  • CINICS : Common Interest Network Information Center Society (Jefsey Morsin)
  • INIAC
  • Public-Root
  • UNIDT
  • NBA
  • UCDA
  • Handshake
  • Ethereum
  • Unstoppable
  • .chn
  • Russian National Domain Name System

Issues[edit | edit source]

  • Name Collision: Conflicts can occur in user experience and functionality when there are identical TLDs that do not match in their delegation, which is why some form of centralized coordination is important in adding names to roots, such as we see with ICANN. The .biz TLD created by Pacific Root was in operation before ICANN proposed running .biz, and at least one of the alternative root servers resolves .biz to Pacific Root's. There are .biz domain names that exist in different roots and point to different IP addresses. The possibility of such conflicts, and their potential for destabilizing the Internet, is the main source of controversy surrounding alt roots.
  • Lack of governance, especially in decentralized systems such as that making use of Blockchain.[2] However, the coordination required to encompass many voices and views and build consensus is glacial in contrast to the pace of pioneering and innovation in unregulated spaces.
  • Data Privacy:
  • security:
  • Functionality: Only people could view sites or send emails to people using domains in these alternative TLDs. This could be improved through the use of special helper applications, or if a custom configuration was made to their computer, or to their nameservers, or a custom configuration at an ISP upstream in the DNS hierarchy. None of these solutions were as comprehensive as being listed in the default nameservers that are seen when an operating system starts. Whilst technically trivial to set up, actually running a reliable root server network, in the long run, is a serious undertaking, requiring multiple servers to be kept running 24/7 in geographically diverse locations. During the dot-com boom, some alt-root providers believed that there were substantial profits to be made from providing alternative top-level domains. Only a small proportion of ISPs actually use any of the zones served by alt-root operators, generally sticking to the ICANN-specified root servers. This in turn led to the commercial failure of several alternative DNS root providers.
  • Costs:
  • brand protection:

ICANN's stance[edit | edit source]

In 2012, ICANN conveyed its opposition to alternative roots in "ICP-3: A Unique, Authoritative Root for the DNS" [3]. This document incorporates, by reference, "RFC2826: IAB Technical Comment on the Unique DNS Root" [4].

In November 2021, ICANN published a blog post reiterating buyer beware when it comes to alternative root servers.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ Tyler Mason, GoDaddy Blockchain Domain Names Webinar, 12/1/2021
  3. ↑ ICP-3: A Unique, Authoritative Root for the DNS
  4. ↑ RFC2826: IAB Technical Comment on the Unique DNS Root
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