The root server system maintains a list of all approved
top-level domains, including country codes. A central server is
operated by VeriSign that keeps the master list but the list is
replicated daily to 12 other file servers, located across the
world. These 13 root servers help to direct the internet's traffic
every day and, although each server is privately held, the US
Department of Commerce has administrative control over all of
them.
Last week's announcement from the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the Department of
Commerce, comes as other countries have been calling for greater
internationalisation of internet control.
In a statement, the NTIA said:
"The United States Government intends to
preserve the security and stability of the Internet's Domain Name
and Addressing System (DNS). Given the Internet's importance to the
world's economy, it is essential that the underlying DNS of the
Internet remain stable and secure. As such, the United States is
committed to taking no action that would have the potential to
adversely impact the effective and efficient operation of the
[Domain Name and Addressing System] and will therefore maintain its
historic role in authorizing changes or modifications to the
authoritative root zone file"
The statement adds that the US will continue its "oversight" of
ICANN. The Department of Commerce had previously indicated that it
would relinquish relevant powers to ICANN once certain conditions
were met. It now appears to be saying that it will keep control
whether or not ICANN meets those conditions.
ICANN is a non-profit corporation based in California that
derives its authority from a 1998 agreement with the US Government.
However, ICANN is influenced by an international Governmental
Advisory Committee.
Internet governance, including the oversight of the root
servers, is expected to feature on the agenda of a World Summit on
the Information Society, taking place in Tunisia in November.
