Public-Root Servers
The Public-Root is an international federation of independent root operators and community stakeholders. Root Operators can be corporations, chartered organizations or government agencies.
Public-Root operators must agree to provide Internet communities uniform access to the data elements that support the resolution of Top-Level Domains (TLDs). Public-Root operators must agree to the principle of universal resolvability.
This principle means that a user will get the same answer to the same DNS query from any computer or device on the global Internet. Universal resolvability is of critical important to the proper operation of the Internet and the DNS.
The Public-Root system is the only reliable technology that supports universal resolvability and eliminates domain name conflicts.
The Public-Root is responsible for the operation and technical management of the Internet's public DNS root system. This includes a worldwide network of thirteen master root servers. The Public-Root system maintains and distributes authoritative root zone files. The thirteen master root servers propagate the root zone files to affiliated root systems.
The Internet DNS root server system must be robust and secured against tampering, abuse or intrusion. Root operators provide critical infrastructure to the Internet community and must ensure the security and reliability of their servers.
The public DNS is tested regularly. These tests address security issues and include a comprehensive review of the geographical distribution of root server systems. This ensures the continued reliability, performance and response time of our root infrastructure.
Stakeholders in the Public-Root system set standards by consensus. These standards define the operational specifications of Public-Root systems. Consideration is given to hardware selection, host capacity, operating system, name server software, network connectivity, redundancy and physical environment. These specifications form the basis of the contractual obligations binding root server operators as trustees of the Public-Root. To be affiliated with the Public-Root operators must guarantee the stable technical operation of their DNS.
Public-Root is an open inclusive cooperative of roots. We encourage the private and public sector to us in provisioning new root servers that support the continued rapid growth and expansion of the public DNS. Membership in the Public-Root is open to all organizations willing to support open access to root infrastructure. Members must have the required technical skills and resources to support a root system.
To volunteer your organization or company please contact the Public-Root Server Advisory Committee (PRSAC). PRSAC co-ordinates the geographical deployment, distribution and testing of root systems in the Public DNS
Please click here for a list of all Public-Root Server locations, or click here to test the online status of the Public-Root system.
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