WHOIS, the protocol used to query databases of registered domain names, has long been a cornerstone of namespace management. It provides vital information about domain ownership, registration dates, and associated administrative and technical contacts. Central to the WHOIS system are two distinct data models: the thick WHOIS and the thin WHOIS. These models define how…

The Domain Name System (DNS) plays a foundational role in enabling internet connectivity, but its capabilities extend far beyond the basic resolution of domain names to IP addresses. As the internet has evolved, DNS has become a powerful tool for policy enforcement, particularly in the realms of content delivery network (CDN) routing and geographic-based DNS…

Brand top-level domains (brand TLDs) have redefined the digital strategies of corporations by allowing businesses to operate their own proprietary namespace under the Domain Name System (DNS). Unlike generic top-level domains (gTLDs) such as .com, .net, or .org, or even new generic TLDs like .tech or .shop, brand TLDs are exclusive to the organizations that…

The introduction of new top-level domains (TLDs) under the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) New gTLD Program has dramatically expanded the namespace, offering businesses, organizations, and individuals an unprecedented variety of domain name options. With TLDs like .tech, .store, .guru, .city, and .club, registries have an opportunity to target niche markets, build…

DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) represent a critical enhancement to the Domain Name System (DNS), addressing vulnerabilities that could otherwise compromise the integrity and authenticity of DNS responses. By adding cryptographic signatures to DNS data, DNSSEC ensures that responses to queries are not tampered with or forged, protecting users from threats such as cache poisoning and…

Geographic top-level domains (geoTLDs) and city-specific TLDs (city-TLDs) represent a significant evolution in namespace management, enabling a more localized approach to the organization and branding of internet resources. Unlike generic top-level domains (gTLDs) such as .com or .org, which serve global audiences without geographic specificity, geoTLDs and city-TLDs cater to particular regions, cities, or communities.…

In the realm of namespace management, registries and registrars play vital roles in maintaining the integrity, functionality, and security of the Domain Name System (DNS). Registries manage the databases for top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .org, or .xyz, while registrars act as the interface between registrants (end users) and these registries, facilitating the registration…

The introduction of the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) program by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) marked a transformative shift in the structure and diversity of the global namespace. Historically, the domain name system (DNS) was dominated by a limited set of gTLDs, such as .com, .org, and .net, alongside country-code…

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a foundational technology of the internet, responsible for translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Despite its critical role, traditional DNS operations often expose sensitive information about user queries to various intermediaries, raising significant privacy concerns. QNAME minimization, a refinement of DNS query handling, has emerged as an essential…

The Domain Name System (DNS) is an essential component of internet infrastructure, enabling the seamless resolution of human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses. Given its central role in connecting users to websites, applications, and online services, the performance of DNS infrastructure is critical to ensuring a reliable and efficient internet experience. Monitoring DNS performance…