Root server anycast deployments represent a critical innovation in the design and operation of the Domain Name System (DNS), ensuring that one of the internet’s most foundational components remains resilient, efficient, and accessible. Root servers provide authoritative responses for queries related to the root zone, serving as the starting point for resolving domain names into…

Edge computing has emerged as a transformative approach to processing and delivering data, bringing computation and storage closer to the end user. This paradigm shift is driven by the growing demand for low-latency applications such as IoT, autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, gaming, and real-time analytics. As edge computing decentralizes the traditional data center model, peering…

Internet Route Registries, or IRRs, are a foundational component of the global routing infrastructure, providing a centralized repository for the publication of routing policies, prefix ownership, and Autonomous System (AS) relationships. By leveraging IRR data for route validation, network operators can enhance the accuracy, security, and reliability of their routing decisions, mitigating risks such as…

In the interconnected world of internet routing and peering, reliance on a single upstream provider for internet connectivity is increasingly viewed as a strategic vulnerability. The case for engaging multiple upstream providers is compelling, as it offers a range of benefits that enhance network resilience, performance, and flexibility. For internet service providers, enterprises, and content…

Network convergence is a critical concept in routing and peering, directly affecting the stability, reliability, and performance of the internet. It refers to the process by which a network’s routing tables stabilize after a change in topology, such as a link failure, a new route advertisement, or the withdrawal of an existing route. During convergence,…

The root zone is the cornerstone of the Domain Name System (DNS), serving as the starting point for resolving domain names into IP addresses. It acts as the authoritative source for the top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .org, and country-code TLDs like .uk or .jp, and provides the foundation upon which the entire DNS…

Latency and jitter are critical factors influencing the performance and reliability of DNS queries, and their effects are often felt in ways that ripple through the broader internet ecosystem. As the foundation of domain name resolution, DNS is the first step in nearly every online interaction, translating human-readable domain names into machine-usable IP addresses. Even…

Distributed Denial of Service, or DDoS, attacks are among the most disruptive threats to modern network operations, capable of overwhelming systems and rendering critical services unavailable. These attacks flood a target with excessive traffic, exhausting its bandwidth, processing capacity, or both. To mitigate the impact of such attacks, network operators employ a variety of strategies,…

Monitoring the health of routing systems is a fundamental aspect of managing modern networks, ensuring that data flows seamlessly and securely between endpoints. As the backbone of internet connectivity, routing involves complex interactions between protocols, devices, and networks. A well-monitored routing environment enables network operators to detect anomalies, maintain performance, and mitigate risks such as…

Traffic engineering via BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is a critical technique for optimizing the flow of traffic across the complex networks that make up the internet. As the primary protocol for inter-domain routing, BGP provides network operators with powerful tools to influence path selection and manage how traffic enters and exits their networks. By…