Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » Public Comment on Root Server System Evolution
Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.
Public Comment on Root Server System Evolution
Whereas, the ICANN Bylaws establish the Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) with the role to advise the ICANN community and the ICANN Board of Directors on matters relating to the operation, administration, security, and integrity of the Internet's Root Server System (RSS).
Whereas, the RSSAC published "RSSAC037: A Proposed Governance Model for the DNS Root Server System" (RSSAC037) proposing five functions to provide governance, accountability, and transparency for the Root Server System and "RSSAC038: RSSAC Advisory on a Proposed Governance Model for the DNS Root Server System" (RSSAC038), making three recommendations for next steps to the ICANN Board.
Whereas, the ICANN Board, through its Board Technical Committee, oversaw the development of a "Concept Paper on a Community-Driven Process to Develop a Final Model Based on RSSAC037," (Concept Paper) proposing a model based on the RSSAC037.
Whereas, the Concept Paper proposed a community-driven process to develop a final model to be led by the Root Server System Governance Working Group (GWG) in response to recommendation one from RSSAC038.
Whereas, ICANN org developed a draft charter and operating procedures and a draft work plan for the GWG and ICANN org to launch the work of evolving the RSS.
Resolved (2019.05.03.26), the ICANN Board of Directors directs the ICANN President and CEO, or his designee(s), to publish for Public Comment RSSAC037, the Concept Paper, the draft charter and operating procedures and draft work plan for the GWG.
Following the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) stewardship transition, the RSSAC set out to develop an initial framework to evolve the Root Server System (RSS). In June 2018, RSSAC published its proposed governance model for the RSS and the Root Server Operators in "RSSAC037: A Proposed Governance Model for the DNS Root Server System" (RSSAC037). The RSSAC037 Model calls for five functions to provide governance, accountability, and transparency for the RSS. The RSSAC concurrently published "RSSAC038: RSSAC Advisory on a Proposed Governance Model for the DNS Root Server System" (RSSAC038). In RSSAC038, the RSSAC makes three recommendations to the ICANN Board for next steps.
Since then, the ICANN Board, through the Board Technical Committee, oversaw the development of a "Concept Paper on a Community-Driven Process to Develop a Final Model Based on RSSAC037" (Concept Paper) as part of the ICANN Board's consideration of RSSAC037. In the Concept Paper, the ICANN Board proposes a model (Concept Model) based on the RSSAC037. The Concept Model would establish three new groups: The Root Server System Governance Board, the Root Server System Standing Committee, and the Root Server Operator Review Panel. In addition to these groups, ICANN org would manage Financial and Secretariat Functions.
The Concept Paper also outlines a community-driven process to develop a final model for the RSS. This is in response to recommendation one from RSSAC038, which calls on the ICANN Board to "initiate a process to produce a final version of the Model for implementation based on RSSAC037." There are three phases: Design, Consultation, and Implementation. During the implementation phase, there are two tracks. The Root Server System Governance Working Group (GWG) would lead the Structural Track to develop a final model, and ICANN org would lead the Administrative Track to plan for implementation of a final model. To launch this work, ICANN org has developed a draft charter and operating procedures and draft work plan for the GWG.
RSSAC037, the Concept Paper, and the draft charter and operating procedures and the draft work plan for the GWG provide a starting point for discussions in the ICANN community about evolving the RSS.
Supporting the evolution of the RSS contributes to the commitment of ICANN to strengthen the security, stability, and resiliency of the DNS. Evolving the RSS will result in significant changes to the ICANN community and ICANN org. The community-driven process to develop a final model envisions considerable work and commitment of resources. Any budgetary and financial implications will be handled through ICANN processes that ensure accountability and transparency. Further, the ICANN Board continues its evaluation and consideration of recommendations two and three from RSSAC038.
This action is within ICANN's mission as it is within ICANN's role of facilitating and coordinating the evolution and operation of the DNS root server system. It is in the public interest in that it supports the enhancement and evolution of the DNS.