[governance] The decentralization of the DNS system

Tue Jun 23 04:05:28 EDT 2015

More on roots.

It has been interesting to discuss alternative ideas regarding the way we look and envision the future of DNS management (governance).

Here is a presentation made by Binxing Fang and Xiaohua Chen, few days ago in Cuba. It provides a clear view of a Chinese challenging innovative (at least it will be new to many) proposal regarding DNS issues.

It introduces the idea of an Inter-Root at ccTLD level. A first step toward a "self-governed architecture for DNS Root Zone resolution".

http://www.ventanapolitica.cu/sites/default/files/inter-rootchina.ppt

All of that, in addition to the Open-Root's approach of the root zone issue, indicates that the current DNS governance, under USG/NTIA/ICANN/IANA/VERISIGN is soon to belong to the past as the sole monopolistic scheme to handle DNS root zone issues. It also clearly shows that technicalities are not there to stop such a tide, as technicalities are very manageable - at least easier to handle than political issues.

We have plenty of options at hand, whether by introducing one or several of the following:
- an Inter-Root mechanism (rather smart)
- a competition among root zone management systems allowing users to make their mind for registering domain name, and resolving name to IP requests.
- a class system for roots, similar to what WIPO did for brands, so that resolution is set with automatisms.
- a result page for similar domain names registered in a diversity of roots, that could include a class system (as mentioned above)

There is little doubt that things are changing and that no one can stop the digital reforming tide. At the end of the day, the US might lose more thanks to its rigid approach in Internet Governance in preserving its "natural" digital privileges, for the sake of its security and commercial interests.

The Chinese proposal is consistent with two key political statements:
- See the note by the UN Secretary-General UN to the General Assembly (June 2013) as per the work of the "Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the field of Information and Telecommunications in the context of International Security". "State sovereignty and international norms and principles that flow from sovereignty apply to State conduct of ICT-related activities, and to their jurisdiction over ICT infrastructure within their territory."
- Read the opening statement by Xi Jinping, chairman of the first World Internet Conference (and China Premier) in november 2014: "China is willing to work together with other countries in the world, in the spirit of mutual respect and trust. We together deepen international cooperation, respect for sovereignty of the network, maintain network security, and build a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative network. We hope to establish a multilateral, democratic, transparent international governance system."

(Quoting is not endorsing)
(Of course, all of that comes amidst mutual allegations of cyber abuses by US, China and others)

What is also interesting to be reminded here is the fact that ICANN's CEO announced to the so-called "global Internet community" after visiting China last year that China was in agreement with ICANN's view. I am sure some of us here have seen the video where Fadi was announcing the  victorious conclusion of his heroic odyssey to China. The present Inter-Root proposal shows a very different perspective, and a clear message that Chehadé's views were not in accordance with the reality of what China had and still has in mind.

Thanks
JC

Le 22 juin 2015 à 23:24, willi uebelherr a écrit :

> Am 20/06/2015 um 15:29 schrieb Tarakiyee:
>> I fully agree with your assessment Jean-Christophe. I would further
>> add that the original proposal is not by any means decentralisation,
>> but rather fragmentation, and is not very different from what we have
>> today.
>> 
>> A truly decentralized system would allow individuals to register their
>> domains without going through intermediaries. This by all means is not
>> a trivial or simple proposal, especially if to be implemented
>> globally, but it is possible. The major hurdle here is political, not
>> technological.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Tarakiyee
> 
> Dear Tarakiyee and friends,
> 
> many thanks for this comment. This is the base also for my small proposal. I don´t think, that this would be a difficult task. This, in general, because we can bring the DNS Root Servers to the regions.
> 
> I do not know, what you mean with "the original proposal is not by any means decentralisation, but rather fragmentation". About what proposal you speak?
> 
> many greetings, willi
> porto Alegre
> 
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