The Role of the NREN in National Registration Services Zita Wenzel NATO Networking Consultant University of Southern California NATO Advanced Networking Workshop Zagreb, Croatia September 2002

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Should an NREN Get Involved in Registry-type Services? Is this an essential service of an NREN? Does this differentiate the NREN from other providers? If this is not a necessary service, is it useful? Why is it useful? Should the NREN do it? Can it be done in a competitive way? Should it not be done in an NREN?

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Decision Tree

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 What is an NREN? National Research and Education Network Provides network access and support to academic research and educational institutions in the country Is the NREN an infrastructure? A tool? A coordinator? A leader?

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 What are National Registries? Name and address registries Country-code top-level domain registry Local Internet Registry Natural monopolies Should be a non-profit entity Should act in the public trust Suggested to be non-governmental Needs technical expertise Needs policy expertise

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Domain Registry Structure

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 What is a Domain Registry? Provides administration for the country-code top-level domain e.g.,.hr See RFC 1591 Acts in the public trust for a natural monopoly Represents the interests of the local Internet community

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Address Registry Structure

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 What is a Address Registry? Allocates IP address blocks to downstream ISPs See RFC 1591 Acts in the public trust Represents the interests of the local Internet community Provides user education, support, and training

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Pros of a Combined NREN/Registry Both are already non-profit entities Both act in the public trust Technical expertise already exists Organization infrastructure exists Cross-subsidization of costs Maintenance and sustainability Research and development

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Pros of a Combined NREN/Registry (2) Both are central organizations and coordination points Ability to register domain names Ability to allocate IP addresses Address assignment under control Domain name assignment under control

Zagreb, CroatiaNATO Advanced Networking Workshop 22 September 2002 Cons of a Combined NREN/Registry More work for an overloaded group Liability may affect the NREN Dispute resolution may delay service May add competitiveness via ISPs and domain name registrars Required transparency of process Difficult separation of functions

Hvala (Thank you)