Competing DNS Roots: A Study on the Internet's Future

Title: Competing DNS Roots: A Study on the Internet's Future

Research Question: How can the internet's domain name system (DNS) handle the addition of new top-level domains (TLDs) without causing fragmentation or disrupting the system's universality?

Methodology: The study uses a structural analysis approach to examine the different forms of competition among DNS roots. It also discusses the compatibility effects and policy implications of having multiple roots.

Results: The research found that the value added by competing DNS roots seems to be small compared to the risks of fragmentation and incompatibility. However, the main reason for the existence of competing roots is the restrictive and slow addition of new TLDs by ICANN. The study suggests that competition among DNS roots is a healthy outlet for abuses of power by the dominant root.

Implications: The paper concludes that allowing competition among DNS roots is beneficial as it does not threaten the universality of the internet. It also suggests that if an alternate root achieves critical mass and threatens the dominance of the existing root, it is likely because the existing root is not meeting the needs of the internet community. The study also discusses the complex issue of interconnecting roots, but does not propose specific solutions.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0109021v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0109021v1