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- How can I switch my DNS to ORSN?
It's very easy to switch your DNS to ORSN. Click here to visit our How To.
- What is the meaning of "ORSN"?
ORSN is an abbreviation for Open Root Server Network and stands for a network of DNS servers in member countries of the European Union and/or neighbouring countries.
- What is the task of the ORSN?
The ORSN serves as a alternative for the existing root-server network since February 2002, which is coordinated by the ICANN. In contrast to the root servers of the ICANN, the ORSN servers should predominantly be placed in Europe. The maximum number of ORSN root-servers will be 13.
- Has ORSN additional TLDs like .DNS, .AUTO?
No. ORSN is a "Legacy Root" and 100% compatible with ICANN's root zone.
Click here to view the ORSN root zone.
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Furthermore, no additional alternative top level domains will be added to the ORSN root-servers like NEW.NET, public-root and other networks did it.
ORSN is an serious network and supports ICANN's politics for TLD's. |
- What is a "root server"?
A root server has a reference data base of all of the TLDs released by the ICANN (Top level Domain) e.g. DE, AT, CH, COM and many others.
The TLDs are divided into two groups:
a) gTLD = Generic-Top-Level-Domain und
b) ccTLD = Country-Code-Top-Level-Domain
In addition to the TLD entries, a root server stores the important references on the TLD servers. These TLD servers have further information (Glue /NS records) about how a SLD (Sub Level Domain, e.g. nic.de) can be reached. However, they do not point to a web page or similar but to the primary nameserver which is responsible for this SLD.
- What can't be accomplished by ORSN?
ORSN and their root-servers can't be used as name-resolvers for individual clients. A root-server will never resolve - as defined by RFC2870 - a SLD or similar on behalf of a user or a work station. All ISPs are offering sufficient world-wide capacities to their customers for this purpose.
- Why does the internet need "ORSN"?
Until now, the administration is done by the USA and/or the ICANN. Therefor, a large number of root-servers is located in America. A loss or the modification of the root-server information could result in serious consequences for all other countries concerning their internet use. It is for example possible to stop a whole country from using the internet. In practice, this scenario didn't happen so far but it can't be excluded either.
- Who stands behind ORSN?
The ORSN is based on a private initiative. The project isn't profit-oriented and won't be it in the future. The current root-server operators of the ORSN support the network by supplying resources such as server hardware and, if necessary, the administration of the appropriate server. The joined ISPs and operators administer and use the ORSN by conviction and in the interest of the autarcy of the network in Europe.
- What's the meaning of the status indication "ICANN BASED" and "INDEPENDENT"?
ICANN BASED is the "normal" mode of ORSN which means that our database will be synchronized with the root
zone information provided by ICANN once a day. A parser checks for differences between our database and the
data that we download by FTP from ICANN. However, removed TLDs won't be considered but future TLDs (e.g. .EU)
will automatically be added to our data base, linked with nameserver data-records and finally, a new ORSN
root zone will be generated. Changed TLDs are processed this way too. This process (parsing, database update
and generation of the root zone) is automatic.
The operating mode INDEPENDENT deactivates the (automatic) mechanism described above and sets ORSN to independent
operation. This mode is activated whenever the political situation of the world - in our opinion - makes this
step necessary because the possibility of a modification and/or a downtime of the ICANN root zone exists or we do
not want that our root zone will rebuild automatically.
The INDEPENDENT is the default mode of ORSN.
- Who can join the ORSN?
Everyone who wants to help us in expanding the network.
- Which means help the ORSN with its work?
The most important resources, which the ORSN will gladly use, are high-speed connections (e.g. DS3, STM-1 etc..) as well as servers, which operate as a DNS root-server at a suitable location. Of course we appreciate the willing of ISPs to use ORSN on their local DNS servers.
- In which countries should ORSN servers be located?
Our goal is to operate a root-server in every country of the European Union. However, since the number of root-servers is limited to 13, an even distribution within the European Union is most important. A presence in neighbouring countries is also desirable.
Further questions concerning ORSN can be send to the following E-Mail address: Hostmaster
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This web site and its contents - © 2002-2008 by ORSN, Open Root Server Network and members. All rights reserved.
Questions or comments regarding this web site can be sent to the webmaster
Last modified: October 10 2005 16:03:02
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