Category: DNS History

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a fundamental technology that enables the internet to function by translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. In the context of shared hosting, DNS takes on a particularly complex and critical role, as it must facilitate the operation of multiple domains on a single IP address. This approach,…

The 2002 attack on the DNS root servers marked one of the first large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attempts against the foundational infrastructure of the internet. This incident served as a wake-up call for the global internet community, highlighting the vulnerabilities of critical systems and prompting significant advancements in security and resilience. By targeting the root…

The governance of the Domain Name System (DNS) has undergone a remarkable evolution, reflecting the internet’s transition from a government-sponsored research network to a global platform for commerce, communication, and innovation. From its early days under the control of the United States Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to the establishment of the…

The commercialization of the Domain Name System (DNS) gave rise to an expansive and dynamic aftermarket for domain names, fueled by the growing recognition of domains as valuable digital assets. This aftermarket, driven by platforms like Flippa and Sedo, transformed the way domains were bought, sold, and monetized. The business of domain flipping, where individuals…

The Domain Name System (DNS) has always been an integral part of internet functionality, translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. Traditionally, DNS resolution was provided by internet service providers (ISPs) as part of their service packages, with minimal visibility or choice for the end user. However, the evolution of DNS resolution services in…

The Domain Name System (DNS) stands as one of the most enduring and transformative innovations in the history of the internet. For more than 40 years, DNS has provided the critical infrastructure needed to translate human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, enabling seamless connectivity across a global network. From its inception in the early…

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a cornerstone of the internet, enabling human-readable domain names to be translated into machine-readable IP addresses. At the heart of this system lies a critical distinction between DNS registrars and registries. This division of labor, which evolved over time, reflects the internet’s growth and the need for an efficient,…

The .org domain, introduced as one of the original generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in 1985, has long been associated with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and entities focused on public service. For many years, .org was managed by Verisign, which also operated the .com and .net gTLDs. However, the stewardship of .org underwent a significant transformation…

The Domain Name System (DNS) stands as one of the most enduring and fundamental technologies of the internet. Its design, initially defined in the early 1980s, has undergone continuous refinement and enhancement through a series of Requests for Comments (RFCs) and other standards. This ongoing journey has transformed DNS from its simple beginnings into a…

In the early days of the internet, the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) served as one of the most fundamental and widely used services for sharing files and distributing data across networked systems. Long before the advent of the World Wide Web, FTP was a backbone technology that enabled researchers, engineers, and institutions to exchange software,…