[db-wg] Erroneous Domain Cleanup Messages

Dear Colleagues,

Apologies for duplicate mails.


== Introduction

We recently informed the Working Groups about the start of a cleanup of 
inconsistencies between data in our reverse DNS and data in the Whois 
Database [1]. Since Wednesday 7 January, 2004 we have been sending out 
warning messages. Unfortunately a number of messages were sent out in 
error.


== The Problem

Due to a bug in the script, messages have been sent to contacts for /24 
DOMAIN objects that have a more specific /16 object, stating that there 
are no matching NS RRs in the zone files and that the DOMAIN object will 
be deleted.

This has been done in error and these DOMAIN objects will remain 
unaltered.

The contacts for these /24 DOMAIN objects will be sent a message shortly 
confirming that their objects will remain unaltered and that no further 
action is required on their part.


== Background

The Whois Database holds informational data for domains in the reverse 
tree. The database holds information about reverse domains corresponding 
to /8, /16 and /24 address space. The '/8 domain' zone files at the RIPE 
NCC only contain NS RRs for the delegation corresponding to the most 
less specific address block. 

If there is a /16 DOMAIN object and a number of more specific /24
DOMAIN objects in the database only a delegation will be created
corresponding to the /16 DOMAIN object. In other words, if the /16
domain has been delegated one cannot delegate its children any
longer. Therefore, the absence of the NS resource records
corresponding to the "nserver:" attributes in the /24 DOMAIN objects
is not an error.

Note: for End Users it is not obvious if an NS RR is in the zone files 
of the RIPE NCC since ns.ripe.net is a secondary DNS server for the /16 
zones.

Our apologies for any confusion and extra work this may have caused.
For further clarification please do not hesitate to contact 
<ripe-dbm at ripe.net>.


--Olaf Kolkman
  New Projects
  RIPE NCC


[1]: http://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail-archives/dns-wg/2004/msg00000.html

Further information about the cleanup project can be found at:
  
http://www.ripe.net/reverse/rdns-project/cleanup.html