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DNS Stressed From Financial Maneuverings

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hey-we're-all-stressed-man dept.

jcatcw writes "The Domain Name System is showing signs of being out of control. Automated software systems are being used to re-register large batches of expired domain names. In addition, speculators are using a loophole in the registration process that lets domains be tested for their potential profitability as pay-per-click advertising sites during a free five-day "tasting" period."

8 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. DNS != Registrar System by notlisted · · Score: 5, Informative

    This article seems not to understand that the DNS system and the Registar system are completely separate entities.. The mass registrations are done through the various registrars for .com, .net, .info, etc., with current estimates that there are are about 5 million domains being "tasted" at any given time. This number is fairly constant so it's not producing spikes or a significant increase in DNS usage at any one time.

  2. Bad headline : DNS != Domain Name System by Gothmolly · · Score: 4, Informative

    In popular parlance, DNS is the Domain Name SERVICE, which is fine. The Domain Name SYSTEM is breaking down due to communication problems between or within registrars. Nothing to do with the root servers.

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    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  3. .org Maintainer Moves to Squash Name Tasting by miller60 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The method for squashing "name tasting" (the expoitation of the five-day grace period) is well known: impose a small fee for each returned domain. The Public Interest Registry (maintainer of .org) recently became the first registry to impose such a fee of 5 cents per name. VeriSign has not followed suit. Some argue that this is because enough "tasted" domains are registered that the sales benefit from the practice outweighs the stress on the infrastructure. ICANN is requesting a position paper from a coalition of registrars on the topic.

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    RichM
    Data Center Knowledge
  4. Re: Why is this news? by cortana · · Score: 5, Informative
    Why the hell aren't the .com/.net/.org registries run sensibly, i.e. in the same way that .uk is run by Nominet? It is practically impossible to lose control of a .uk domain once you have it.

    After such a domain is detagged, Nominet try to contact thet registrant to confirm that they no longer want to use the domain. Only if the registrant confirms this, or fails to settle an invoice if one exists within 30 days, does the domain become 'suspended'. After 60 further days, the domain is cancelled and can be registered by someone else.

    Nominet even make it a policy to dissuade domain spammers from registering expired domains:

    Why does Nominet not publish exact dates for when domain names are cancelled?

    Giving an exact date would compromise Nominet's policy of allocating domain names on a first-come, first-served basis. It could lead to an increase in speculative applications for domain names, which may result in an abuse of Nominet's registration automated systems.
  5. Re: Why is this news? by miller60 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Actually, it wasn't even new when folks started noticing it 2 years ago. It actually started as early as 2001, as documented in a history of name tasting posted by veteran domain professional Frank Schilling over at Circle ID. Changes in 2004 made it easier, which is when the huge volume kicked in. But the earlier activity established a precedent for the practice.

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    RichM
    Data Center Knowledge
  6. Re:My Idea by rs79 · · Score: 4, Informative

    "I think we need A LOT more gTLDs"

    Holy 1995 batman.


    Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 12:40:30 -0700
    From: Jon Postel
    Message-Id:
    To: rick@uunet.uu.net
    Subject: Re: ISOC Statement on Domain Name Fees

    Rick:

    I think this introduction of charging by the Intenic for domain
    registrations is sufficient cause to take steps to set up a small
    number of alternate top level domains managed by other registration
    centers.

    I'd like to see some competition between registration services to
    encourage good service at low prices.

    I do think we need to proceed with some care, to understand what are
    the requirements and responsibilities of these service centers, what
    informatrion they have to provide to the community, what oversight they
    are subject to and by whom, etc.

    I'd be happy if you could help me come up with a plan for this.

    --jon

    --
    Need Mercedes parts ?
  7. Re:One even more obvious fix by ZenShadow · · Score: 3, Informative

    Think about it. You don't get rampant speculation in phone numbers. You don't find it impossible to get a new phone number because none are available. You don't have to pay $5k to a speculator to get a phone number in your desired area code. You've obviously never tried to get an 800 or 888 number. This is, in fact, quite a common practice in that arena.

    --S
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    -- sigs cause cancer.
  8. Re:Timely! by auntfloyd · · Score: 2, Informative
    I believe .org is supposed to be reserved for non-profits organizations.

    FALSE. FALSE. FALSE.

    This has NEVER been true. Why do people insist on spreading this lie around?

    Please read the RFC before you continue to propagate this utter nonsense. In fact, I'll even quote it for you:

    ORG - This domain is intended as the miscellaneous TLD for
                      organizations that didn't fit anywhere else. Some non-
                      government organizations may fit here.


    Please point out the reference to non-profits in that descriptions. .ORG is for any organization. Non-profit status has nothing to do with it. And .NET? Not for ISPs either! Who knew???

    Read the RFC, it will enlighten you, and you can cease with your pointless lies and slander of .ORG owners.