Re: Network Solutions is now in the wringer

["J.D. Falk" <jdfalk () cybernothing org>]

On 03/25/99, Dave Crocker <dcrocker () brandenburg com> wrote: 

> This is a request for consideration of a technical and operations 
> question.  Although it pertains to a political topic, I am only asking for 
> consideration of a matter that is clearly relevant to nanog.

        I vehemently agree.  There are other lists for politics.

> In particular, what are the 'serious operational impacts' that could 
> develop?  There is a long-standing claim that services of the type offered 
> by NSI are fine left without special handling (oversight, assistance).  To 
> the extent that problems to such a company can have far-reaching impact on 
> Internet operations, it would be extremely helpful to understand them 
> before the fact.  This might permit consideration of methods to avoid such 
> fall-out.

        Well, let's take the most extreme case, where NetSol suddenly
        ceases performing the services of the InterNIC.  In such an
        instance, we would hope that the root servers would continue
        to function as they are, without any changes being made until
        a new "A" server comes into being and is accepted by the root
        server operators.

        This is probably what Jon Postel's fear-inspiring experiment
        a few months back was intended to test.

        But, would it really go that smoothly?  How long can the root
        servers last without an A?

 ---------========== J.D. Falk <jdfalk () cybernothing org> =========---------
  |     "How come two middle-aged hippies in L.A. can completely         |
  |      determine the fate of the global networking infrastructure?     |
  |      Because we've got the bomb."     -- Todd Graham Lewis           |
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