2. Administrative Functions Associated with Root Management.

A second important aspect of the IANA function involves administrative functions associated with management of the authoritative domain-name system (DNS) root. Under the leadership of Dr. Postel, the IANA team undertook the project of delegating 243 of the country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) listed (except for grandfathered cases) on ISO 3166-1 (three more ccTLDs are still undelegated). These 243 ccTLDs, in conjunction with the seven generic top-level domains (gTLDs), and the special, legacy second-level domain, in-add.arpa, make up the root zone of the DNS that is disseminated to thirteen root name servers deployed throughout the world.

Continuing maintenance of this root zone involves a variety of administrative functions that are key to maintaining the stable operation of the DNS. These tasks involve, first, maintenance of accurate records not only of the root-zone file information (i.e. correspondence of TLDs to host computers providing authoritative name service for those domains) but also of detailed contact information so that persons seeking second-level domains know who to contact and so that problems with a particular TLD can be quickly resolved. Routine requests for technical changes are made by the delegated operators of ccTLDs and the IANA/ICANN team has developed various means of verifying the authenticity of these requests based on its familiarity with the various operators. The IANA/ICANN team is experienced in working closely with Network Solutions, which currently generates the authoritative root-zone file and operates the root-zone Whois service, and with the U.S. Department of Commerce, which approves various changes to the root-zone file. ICANN proposes to continue processing routine requests for technical changes in the root-zone file and root-zone contact information in the same manner as is currently done, subject to changes in procedures agreed with the U.S. Department of Commerce Government consistent with ICANN's MOU with that agency.

A second aspect of the administrative tasks associated with root management is receiving requests for redelegation of existing TLDs and, where new TLDs are created, for initial delegation. After receiving the request, the IANA investigates the circumstances of the request, evaluates its conformity with the relevant guidelines as contained in ICANN Corporate Policy (ICP-1), reports the results to the U.S. Department of Commerce, and if appropriate recommends a course of action on the request. Often a key stability-enhancing technique is the mediation of delegation disputes, which the ICANN staff has performed frequently, resulting in nearly all disputes being resolved by a consensual solution.

At this stage in the U.S. Government's transition to private-sector-led technical management of the Internet, the U.S. Department of Commerce acts on delegation and redelegation requests by giving approval as appropriate to changes in root-zone files and associated information. Nothing in the current contract contemplates any change in the IANA's role with respect to authorizing modifications, additions, or deletions to the root-zone file or associated information that constitute delegation or redelegation of top-level domains; those issues are to be dealt with under the MOU between ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce and past and future amendments to that MOU.

Actions by the U.S. Department of Commerce on delegation and redelegation requests are made after reviewing reports submitted by the IANA, which makes the reliability of the reports especially vital. The ICANN team is uniquely situated to perform the investigation and reporting function based on its unequalled familiarity with ccTLD delegees worldwide, familiarity of precedents in prior delegation and redelegation situations, and longstanding reputation for handling requests impartially and in a manner that promotes the benefits of the Internet worldwide.

A third aspect of the administrative tasks associated with root management is coordination with the operators of the thirteen root nameservers deployed throughout the world. ICANN is closely involved with the operation of the root nameservers, and this relationship will permit it to facilitate a stable transition from the current system of volunteer (but nonetheless highly professional) operation to a more accountable and formally documented system. ICANN itself operates one of the root nameservers ("L"), one of ICANN's nineteen directors (Jun Murai) is involved in the operation of another ("M"), and ICANN works closely with USC-ISI's staff, which operates another ("B"). In addition, ICANN's Root Server System Advisory Committee has as its members the operators of all thirteen root nameservers. ICANN proposes to work collaboratively through the Committee to develop a set of contracts between ICANN and each operator that will permit stable evolution and enhancement of the procedures under which the root nameserver system is operated"

Questions

After transition who and how and under what accountability terms the above tasks are envisaged to be done

Regards

KAVOUSS .

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