IP: Major root server hosage and the InterNIC -- my god...

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

From: Doug Luce <doug () telerama lm com>




This morning, I noticed that one of my customers domains was missing from
four root name servers (B, E, F, and G).  I also found different serial
numbers for the com zone across the servers.  


a.root-servers.net:                     1997071701      ; serial
b.root-servers.net:                     1997071700      ; serial
c.root-servers.net:                     1997071701      ; serial
d.root-servers.net:                     1997071700      ; serial
e.root-servers.net:                     1997071700      ; serial
f.root-servers.net:                     1997071700      ; serial
g.root-servers.net:                     (unreachable)
h.root-servers.net:                     1997071500      ; serial
i.root-servers.net:                     1997071700      ; serial


These serial numbers didn't seem to match up with the broken name
servers, signalling a serious breakdown.


I gave a call to the InterNIC help desk.  After a fashion, I spoke
with someone.  The conversation in short:


  me: There seems to be a problem with the root nameservers.
  helpdesk guy: Yes, there was an error during last night's update.
  me: Ok, is there some place on line I can get an announcement?
  helpdesk guy: No, there's nothing.
  me: Ok, well, do you have a pointer to somewhere I can read about
      the status of this problem?
  helpdesk guy: No, nothing is going to be put up about it.


Conclusions: 


1) The InterNIC can very quickly and easily mess up the entire way people
   use the internet, functionally making the network unusable.  Nothing
   new here. 


2) The InterNIC doesn't feel responsible to anyone.  They don't need to
   provide explanations, give status, or care at all about the people they
   are supposed to serve.


Does NSI think this attitude isn't going hurt them in the capital markets? 


Doug