RSSAC028 - Technical Analysis of the Naming Scheme Used For Individual Root Servers
Abstract
The Domain Name System (DNS) is supported by root servers that serve the root zone.
Individual root servers were named under the “root-servers.net” domain in 1995. The
root-servers.net zone is delegated to the root servers.
This naming scheme has worked well for root servers and the Internet community at large
for over two decades. However, given today’s Internet environment, the RSSAC has
studied the naming scheme used for individual root servers and considered the
consequences of making changes.
The study documents a risk analysis of different alternative naming schemes.
This analysis includes:
Where the names reside in the DNS hierarchy
Who administers the zone in which the names reside
How different naming schemes affect DNSSEC validation of priming responses
The size of priming responses
From the risk analysis, the document aims at providing:
Recommendation to root server operators, root zone management partners, and
ICANN on whether changes should be made, and what those changes should be
Recommendations on signing the addresses associated with the root servers
Recommendation on the naming scheme for the root servers
Research Areas
