C22. VeriSign, Inc., the current operator of the .org registry uses a registry-registrar protocol (RRP) documented in RFC 2832. At the time of the transition, the selected successor operator will be required to continue to support the RRP (unless a migration of registrars in .org to another protocol has already been completed by that time). In addition, the selected successor operator will be required to implement support for the IETF provreg working group's protocol specification for an Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) no later than 135 days after it is adopted as a Proposed Standard [RFC 2026, section 4.1.1]. Provide a detailed description of your plan for supporting RRP at the time of transition, for supporting EPP within the required time frame, and for providing registrars with a smooth, low-cost migration path from RRP to EPP.

Our detailed proposals for supporting RRP and EPP and for managing the migration from RRP to EPP are contained in Section C18, the Transition Plan.

Unity registry plans to support both RRP and EPP at the time of transition. The RRP and EPP compliant systems will be used simultaneously for a period to ensure a smooth transition (see Section 18). The RRP component will be implemented prior to the registry going live to ensure that the plan for transitioning the data from the old registry (VeriSign) can run smoothly and maintain stable registry operation.

The framework around which the RRP services will be offered has already been developed and will require only minor adjustments. More detail on Unity Registry’s implementation of RRP can be found in Sections 17.2 and 18.2.

Unity Registry will begin operation with access to AusRegistry’s fully EPP version 6 compliant software, based on the most recent draft issued by the IETF. This is currently being used in the .com.au, .net.au, org.au and .id.au registries. Unity Registry will support EPP protocol from the first day of change over, regardless of whether VeriSign has completed its transition.

The RRP and EPP compliant systems will be used simultaneously for a period to ensure a smooth transition, as detailed in Section 18.

Unity Registry is committed to making the change of registry operator as seamless, low cost and trouble free for registrars as possible. Consequently, we have taken the initiative and planned a transition to place as much of the burden as possible on the registry to make it easier for the registrars. The changeover from a “thin” to “thick” registry will also be performed, as outlined in our transition plan (Section 18.). We believe that this transition can be made seamlessly and without interruption of the operation of the registry.

Our detailed proposals for supporting RRP and EPP and for managing the migration from RRP to EPP are contained in Section C18, the Transition Plan.