World Wide Alliance of Top Level Domain-names
IANA WG

In Aug 2002, ICANN still does not provide root zone WHOIS service

The attached below is an extract from ICANN status report to the DoC published on 15 Aug 2002, which is of interest to the ccTLD and IANA database.

You will note that since 07 Sep 2000 ICANN is in obligation to provide Task 4, item d, which includes root zone generation and root zone WHOIS service.

Root zone generation is based on the name servers for each ccTLD, as recorded in root zone WHOIS.

The root zone WHOIS includes precisely the ccTLD IANA database.

To my knowledge the first ever information provided on whois.iana.org was given by Louis Touton to Kim Davies on 19 Aug 2002.

The date recorded in whois.iana.org indicates this site has been created on 20 Sep 2000, very shortly after the MoU.

The whois.iana.org does not include any information allowing for root zone generation, the only information is related to ccTLD contacts and addresses.

In the same letter from Louis Touton to Kim Davies on 19 Aug 2002, there is an information about www.internic.net/whois.html web site where the necessary information for root zone generation is provided. However this information is disconnected from ccTLD contacts and addresses.

One wonder why 2 years after the specific requirements were issued by the USG and contracted by the MoU to ICANN, the latter still do not provide a small 240+ WHOIS database for root zone generation and root zone WHOIS service.

Eventually, it is possible that 19 Aug 2002 letter brings some improvements, so lets watch but be positive.

We hope to make some progress, and have the WHOIS service designed according to ccTLD Managers requirements (cf. Bucharest communique for the last ones).

Amendment 2 to MoU from 07 Sep 2000:
http://www.icann.org/general/amend2-jpamou-07sep00.htm

Fourth ICANN status report:
http://www.icann.org/general/status-report-15aug02.htm

Quote from the MoU:

Task 4: Collaborate with the Department to continue to complete development of a proposed enhanced architecture for root server security, and the development of the following documentation to be used in connection with testing and implementation of the enhanced root-server system architecture:

1. a. A written description of the enhanced architecture incorporating a dedicated primary root server;
2. b. A procedural plan for transition to the enhanced architecture;
3. c. An implementation schedule for transition to the enhanced architecture;
4. d. Documentation of IANA procedures for root zone editing, root zone generation, and root zone WHOIS service; and
5. e. An agreement between ICANN and root-server operators that formalizes stable, secure, and professional operation of the root-servers in accordance with the enhanced architecture.

Quote from ICANN report to Doc:

Status of progress on task 4: Work on the documentation is currently in the first of two phases. A subgroup of ICANN's Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) is working on documenting the root-nameserver system as it currently exists, with focus on security aspects, total system performance, robustness and reliability. An initial draft encompassing the major points of this documentation has been prepared and is being reviewed to determine how it should be augmented. Once this phase is completed, the Committee will turn to developing proposals and procedures for enhancements to ensure that the system continues to provide high-quality, reliable and robust root nameservice for the global Internet.

With regard to (e), there has been some progress made on the form of an undertaking between ICANN and the root server operators themselves, but any such undertaking requires approval by their parent institutions. While this, like similar efforts with the RIRs, has been slowed by the intense focus of the entire ICANN community on the ongoing reform efforts, ICANN remains hopeful that meaningful progress can be made on this task following the completion of the current reform efforts.