MS decides backup DNS servers good idea

[Eric Budke <budke () BUDKE COM>]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Microsoft-Akamai.html

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. has hired network
          company Akamai Technologies Inc. to operate backup domain name
          servers, the network equipment that directs Internet traffic.

          The decision was made after several outages on Microsoft web sites,
          including microsoft.com, MSN.com and Hotmail.com, Microsoft
          spokesman Adam Sohn said.

          He declined to discuss further details of the deal with Cambridge,
          Mass.-based Akamai.

          ``This seemed like the smart, immediate step to take,'' he said.

          Microsoft sites went down for 22-hours starting Tuesday night. The
          company said the problem was caused by a mistake made by a
          technician working on the network equipment.

          On Thursday and Friday, customers again encountered troubles logging
          onto Microsoft Web sites after a so-called ``denial-of-service''
attack on
          the same equipment. Hackers, using automation software, overwhelmed
          sites with fake traffic so legitimate Internet users were unable
to get
          through.
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