DNS Stressed From Financial Maneuverings

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."

Comments

DNS != Registrar System

[notlisted]

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.

Bad headline : DNS != Domain Name System

[Gothmolly]

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.

.org Maintainer Moves to Squash Name Tasting

[miller60]

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.

Re: Why is this news?

[cortana]

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.

Re:My Idea

[rs79]

"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