Derek Smythe wrote, On 25/2/09 18:23:
A good rule of thumb: If it isn't broken, don't try and fix it. This very much depends how you define if something is broken or not. But also, can something be broken and - in that case - how can we apply preventive maintenance ?
I think the root server operators have done a very good job up to now, if we forget about the Postel incident, but that was pre-ICANN. It would make some sense that RSAC suggests a contingency or disaster recovery plan for the root server operations. I am well aware that each of the organizations running root servers do have one on their own, or at least I would hope so. But we know that most of the organizations running the root servers are vulnerable to politcal pressure, if only because they directly or indirectly receive public money. So, what would happen if it was the NTIA calling root server operators to instruct them to point to a new root master, rather than Postel ? This was the whole idea behind the now defunct ORSN project ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Root_Server_Network ) Even if the root server operators have done a good job, this is not a reason for not interacting with the community. The lack of transparency is often a major cause of distrust. However honest and performing someone is, I would still be concerned to sign blank cheques. -- Patrick Vande Walle