DNS FAQ v0.01a  (DRAFT)

This document does not try to answer the frequently asked questions about
DNS in Australia, it merely tries to consolidate those questions into a
concise format so that the questions can be addressed. Please feel free to
make additions or deletions (or throw it out the window if you feel it's
junk) but please let me know so I can make updates.

The scope of this FAQ only includes the .AU namespace. No other namespace is
intended to be included.

Some of this is a collection of emails from DNS list members. No
infringement on IP rights is intended.

1. History
2. ADNA, Kre, IIA - lots of acronyms
3. .AU or .COM.AU
4. What needs doing?
5. DNS mailing list


1. History  (much from Geoff Huston 9-Dec-1996)

  In 1988 the ISO 3166 two letter code for Australia, ".au" was delegated by
  IANA to Robert Elz, of the Computer Science Department, University of
  Melbourne. At the time Robert managed the Internet electronic mail gateway
  between the Australian Internet email community and the larger
  international Internet email systems then in use. This delegation has
  remained with Robert Elz to the present. Major second level delegations
  were undertaken to define distinct name spaces educational bodies
  (".edu.au"), government bodies ("gov.au"), commercial bodies (".com.au")
  and network service providers (".net.au"). This delegation structure is
  broadly similar to that undertaken within many other nTLDs, and name
  delegation was undertaken by voluntary Domain Name Administrators on a
  free of charge basis.

  In response to the overwhelming work load and name disputes, on 
  1 November 1996 Robert Elz re-delegated the ".com.au" domain name to
  Melbourne IT, who have undertaken this function on a fee for service
  basis. This was undertaken after a 4 month long process of industry
  consultation, under the auspices of a DNS Summit, hosted by the Internet
  Service Providers' Industry Association, INTIAA. [which was a pity,
  because most "stake holders" were not members -- Antony]

  Melbourne IT now have a non-exclusive licence on .COM.AU domain
  registration and delegation and are currently the only .COM.AU registrar.


2. ADNA, Kre, IIA - lots of acronyms

  ADNA (Australian Domain Name Authority), whilst having a pretty cool name
  for the purpose, completely failed to get off the ground and is considered
  dead by most DNS list members. Their web site is www.adna.asn.au

  Kre (Robert Elz) is the one that has delegation control over .AU
  presently.  Robert appears to have given indications that we would assign
  .AU to a DNS body that has the appropriate mechanisms in place to handle
  the task.

  IIA (Internet Industry Association) was formed from INTIAA and AIA when it
  was seen that their tasks overlapped in most areas. They host the old DNS
  mailing list which most members have now left because of the noise ratio. 
  The new list is at dns§waia.asn.au


3. .AU or .COM.AU

  The DNS discussion should cover all of .AU and not just .COM.AU. Whilst
  .COM.AU is the largest Domain area, it is not all of it, and any DNS governing
  body will have to cover all of .AU

  Currently there are 8 sub-delegations of .AU -
	Melbourne IT	- com.au
	Geoff Huston	- gov.au edu.au info.au
	Hugh Irvine	- net.au (managed by Connect.com.au)
	Michael Malone	- asn.au
	Robert Elz	- org.au id.au(??)

  Ultimately, Robert Elz has the final say on what happens, however I
  believe he will not assign .AU to a body that does not have the full
  support of these sub-delegates (and rightly so).


4. What needs doing?  (from Kate Lance 25-Jun-1998)

The areas of concern that NOIE think we have to sort out before we're
going to get community/industry consensus on .AU governance are:

	   i. Stake holders - consensus should be broadly based and inclusive
              not only of key individuals but also of interest groups from
              both the supply and demand sides of the industry;
 
	  ii. Objectives - should be clearly defined and achievable;
 
	 iii. Principles - should be identified and include the promotion of
              competition, fair trading and consumer protection;
 
	  iv. Processes for the development of policy, standards, codes, etc
              should be inclusive, transparent and accountable;
 
	   v. Complaints and dispute resolution mechanisms - consideration
              needs to be given to the requirement to establish an
              administrative disputes resolution process;
 
	  vi. Compliance and enforcement mechanisms - Consideration should
              be given to the mechanisms and powers required to achieve an
              effective self regulatory regime;
 
	 vii. Funding and resources - resource requirements and funding
              options need to be identified and a self sustaining funding
              model put in place;
 
	viii. Legislative framework - an assessment needs to be made of the
              requirement for a legislative structure to support an
              effective self regulatory regime.


5. The DNS mailing list

The NEW DNS mailing list is being hosted by the Western Australia Internet
Association. The list is open to anyone who wishes to join, however the
content is considered to be a working forum. Any material from the list may
not be used outside of the list without the expression permission of the
content writer.

You can join the list by sending "subscribe" in the subject heading to
dns-request§waia.asn.au


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  Antony Healey		ISOC-AU Founding Member		Ph:  +61 2 9834 6055
  General Manager					Fax: +61 2 9834 6249
  Healey Communications Australia  --  Giving you the world...
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