2nd Root Server in Europe (fwd)

On Mon, 13 Jan 1997, Keith Mitchell wrote:

> I've had a number of discussions with Bill Manning to facilitate
> this, and hosting of this server was again discusssed and endorsed
> at the LINX meeting today.

I was unable to attend the LINX meeting today, but I was pleased to
hear that you had suddenly taken an active interest in the idea of
a root name server at the LINX.
 
> However, I am rather surprised to hear of the involvement of VBCnet
> and ISPA - despite Jim regularly attending LINX meetings and being
> active in LINX mailing lists, he has not mentioned anything about
> either of these. Normally the ISPA does not concern itself with
> technical or infrastructure matters.

Neither the LINX nor ISPA is particularly technical.  I am 
encouraging ISPA to become more involved in technical issues, 
because I think that it is important to develop UK forums.  But
the reality is that in both organisations technical issues are
given what I believe is too little attention.

Last year VBCnet proposed to IANA that we should set up a root name 
server in the UK because we believed that one was sorely needed and 
no one else was taking any action on this.  ISPA endorsed this 
action for much the same reasons.  There has also been discussion
at ISPA about providing other needed technical resources; I think
that a little technical competition would inspire us all to move
faster ;-)

The last time this was discussed at the LINX, the conclusion was 
that the LINX itself would not take any action until the LINX had
hired and trained a systems engineer, if then.  You said this 
yourself, Keith.  As I recall, there was a vague suggestion that 
some action might be initiated in six months.

Like, for example, Demon, we have been impatient with the slow pace 
of things at the LINX.  I understand that Demon today announced that 
they would be bringing up a route server at the LINX.  I know that
they proposed this many months ago and were met with indifference.  
So they unilaterally took action.  We have been doing the same as 
regards a root name server.

We were not just impatient with the lack of progress.  What has been
discussed in the past at the LINX, and I believe was discussed again
today, was a root server for "."  We think that what would be of most
benefit to Europe would be a full root name server, including the 
largest domains (.com and .net), and this is what we discussed with
Paul Vixie and proposed to Jon Postel last year.

We are not proposing to put up a minimal root name server; frankly,
I can't see any purpose in minimizing the name server's scope.  
We believe that what is needed is a full-blown name server.

> LINX policy, which was endorsed at the two recent IEPG meetings, is
> that the proposed root server would be in the LINX neutral AS rather
> than that of any particular member - clearly we welcome VBC's offer
> of resources, but I am not sure the other LINX members would be
> quite so supportive of this if they felt one member was being
> a chance they also might also want.

I don't quite understand what is meant here.  We have offered to 
provide and operate a root name server at Telehouse at our own 
expense.  We originally began looking into this because we wanted
a root name server for our own use; then we talked it over and 
decided to make it available to everyone at no charge as a service
to the UK / European Internet community.  ISPA endorsed it on this
basis.  There is a long tradition of this in this country; EUnet GB, 
for example, operated the .uk name servers on the same basis for 
years.

I think that many or most LINX members would like to see a root name
server at the LINX and wouldn't much care who manages it.  We will
begin formally canvassing other LINX members on this issue tomorrow,
but those that we have spoken with so far are supportive.  Certainly
ISPA members are.

> With this qualification LINX remains highly supportive of this
> proposal and I'll do my best to facilitate it. 

We would certainly appreciate this.  Given official approval, we can
have a server up in days.  We were prepared to do so in November.

>                                                I will be at the RIPE
> meeting next Mon and Tue, and hope Jim will be there to clarify any
> confusion.

I myself cannot be there; I have critical prior commitments.  However
VBCnet will be represented and I am certain that we can come to a
arrangement that will satisfy all concerned.

> Keith Mitchell
> 
> Chairman
> London InterNet Exchange       keith at linx.org
> PO Box 51
> Stamford, PE9 2WF
> United Kingdom
> Phone: +44 7000 783797         (fax 783798)
> Mobile: +44 385 346152
> 
> > >To: dns-wg at ripe.net
> > >Cc: RIPE WG Chairpeople <wg-chairs at ripe.net>
> > >Subject: 2nd Root Server in Europe
> > >From: Daniel Karrenberg <Daniel.Karrenberg at ripe.net>
> >
> > >I have received an informal query from IANA about RIPE's opinion about
> > >the placement of a second root name server in Europe at the LINX
> > >operated by VBCnet.  This should be discussed at the next meeting. 
> > >Personally I think that placement at the LINX makes good sense because
> > >of current network topology. 
> 
> > >On Mon, 11 Nov 1996, Jim Dixon wrote:
> >
> > >> We will have a server built to Paul Vixie's recommendations some time
> > >> this week.  As he suggests, it will be placed in its own class C on a
> > >> private LAN segment.  This will be on a 100 Mbps port on a router with
> > >> a 100 Mbps connection to the LINX, the London Internet Exchange, which
> > >> is the major UK peering point (http://www.linx.net).  The LINX is 
> > >> actually attracting a significant number of networks from the continent: 
> > >> we now have one Dutch and two German members, with EBONE talking about 
> > >> joining in December.
> > >> 
> > >> This proposal has the endorsement of the UK Internet Service Providers
> > >> Association (http://www.ispa.org.uk), of which I am one of the 
> > >> directors.  ISPA is more or less equivalent to the CIX in the US.  The 
> > >> machine will be operated by VBCnet, which is an owner/ member of the 
> > >> LINX, and will be, as I said, one hop from the LINX on a 100 Mbps port.  
> 

--
Jim Dixon                  VBCnet GB Ltd           http://www.vbc.net
tel +44 117 929 1316                             fax +44 117 927 2015