Question: What kind of control can ICANN get over the root server? What would the elements in such a transfer be? How would you secure a de facto controll?

Nominee Replies

Andy Mueller-Maguhn - posted on 2000-10-02 04:24:12 While facing the fact, that the USG is still sitting on the root-zone file, I am not shure ICANN in it´s current constitution is willing to manage the transfer. ICANN should be urged to find a way to get the control of the root-zone file to enable user-legitimated policys and diversity of TLDs while the stability has to reached through more decentralisation. Stability, diversity and the need for an independent structure from the USG are a direct need to avoid that the name spaces divorces without coordination cause of the wrong decisions. This has not only to be understood by ICANN, also the USG are in the responsibility to give up their motiviation to dominant control. ICANN has a chance to manage this critical phase, if it´s open for more diverse participation. On the long term road, I don´t see much alternative to a name space with diverse root-zone files. Olivier Muron - posted on 2000-09-28 08:14:07 Today's relationship with the US D.O.C. is necessary to insure the continuity and stability of the system. The goal is however the transfer of full control of the root file to ICANN. I think that it It is desirable to reach this objective at the end of the extension of a year of the agreement which has just been announced. (see http://www.icann.org/announcements/icann-pr04sep00.htm ). Jeanette Hofmann - posted on 2000-09-27 14:59:37 The critical issue is change control over the root zone file. Change control implies decisions on both adding new TLDs and redelegating existing TLDs. In other words, as long as we have a singly rooted name space, each new TLD has to be approved of by those who control the root zone file. A de facto control can't be ensured as the US Government claims a dormant authority on the root zone file and shows no intention of handing it over. Alf Hansen - posted on 2000-09-27 14:55:25 ICANN should be responsible for the root server. The management and operations should be sub-contracted by ICANN to the institutions now running the (13) root servers around the world. By the way, they are doing an excellent job! ICANN should offer the root servers in DNS as a well defined service to the gTLD and ccTLD managers. The g/ccTLD managers should pay ICANN for these services based on a service contract which will regulate the relations between ICANN and the g/ccTLD managers. The new ICANN ownership structure (after transition from US Government) will secure control over the Root. Until then, the USG will and should have the ultimate control over the Root. Stability is important and the USG should not give this responsibility away to someone who has not proven to protect the interests of the Global Internet Community in a stable way.