Since there were quite a few questions in another thread, I wanted to start a new discussion to provide answers about what OpenNIC is, what an alternate root is, and how these might affect you.
To begin with, what is an alternate root? One of the key components of the internet is DNS. It's like a phone book - you look up someone's name and it gives you their number. On the internet that means looking up a domain name like example.com and DNS gives you the IP address to reach the servers that provide that domain. Easy enough but there's a little more to it than that - DNS has multiple layers. First you need to know how to reach .com, ask that server how to find example.com, which then directs you to another server that tells you the answer. What we're concerned with is that first server that tells you how to find .com. This is called the "root" server because it is the very first server you talk to in order to start the search for the answer to your query. However there can only be one root server, and most people have agreed to use the one provided by ICANN.
Back in 1999, a discussion on another forum revolved around the topic of why domain names were so expensive. Since ICANN was the controlling body, they had the final say over the rules for domain names, and what TLDs (such as .com) were available. Domain names had a monetary value because there was an artificially-limited supply of desirable names available. But why? The software to create a root server was freely available and literally anyone could set up their own root, with the ability to create any TLDs they wanted. Thus was born the idea of OpenNIC, and by mid-2000 they had their first DNS servers in public operation.
Over the years members have come and gone. The project has evolved with new ideas and we've learned a lot of harsh lessons. We currently operate 16 different TLDs with full domains available underneath. Keeping with the original spirit, all domains are free (but read below for the catch!). We operate 79 DNS servers in 23 countries, all provided freely by our members, offer a few popular security options, and have a number of members available online who can help get you started.
Now here's the first catch... Remember I said there can only be one DNS root? Basically you have to point your computer to the one you want to use, and manufacturers always point to the ICANN root by default. This means that if you register an OpenNIC domain, most people will not be able to see it because ICANN doesn't recognize alternate roots. On the other hand, if you point your computer to an OpenNIC server, we do in fact recognize all ICANN domains plus some other alternate roots.
So if OpenNIC can see "more" of what's on the internet, why doesn't everyone use them instead of ICANN? Well, there's the other catch. As I mentioned, OpenNIC and all of its services are provided by volunteers, so the DNS server you pointed at today might not be there tomorrow. Since we don't make money, we can't buy a lot of servers and keep them available forever. We have developed tools over the years to provide information about the available servers, and scripts to help automate keeping your computer pointed to the closest operational server, but there is still the initial effort of setting it up.
Above all else, OpenNIC has been a learning platform. You can get your hands on all the information about how DNS works, from the top-level root down to registering a domain name, you can see the actual files generated by each transaction and speak with others to get a better understanding of the process. But the unfortunate truth is that no alt-root domains will be easily seen by your family or customers.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask below. You can view our website at https://www.opennic.org/ or speak to other members through IRC chat (#opennic on freenode).
To begin with, what is an alternate root? One of the key components of the internet is DNS. It's like a phone book - you look up someone's name and it gives you their number. On the internet that means looking up a domain name like example.com and DNS gives you the IP address to reach the servers that provide that domain. Easy enough but there's a little more to it than that - DNS has multiple layers. First you need to know how to reach .com, ask that server how to find example.com, which then directs you to another server that tells you the answer. What we're concerned with is that first server that tells you how to find .com. This is called the "root" server because it is the very first server you talk to in order to start the search for the answer to your query. However there can only be one root server, and most people have agreed to use the one provided by ICANN.
Back in 1999, a discussion on another forum revolved around the topic of why domain names were so expensive. Since ICANN was the controlling body, they had the final say over the rules for domain names, and what TLDs (such as .com) were available. Domain names had a monetary value because there was an artificially-limited supply of desirable names available. But why? The software to create a root server was freely available and literally anyone could set up their own root, with the ability to create any TLDs they wanted. Thus was born the idea of OpenNIC, and by mid-2000 they had their first DNS servers in public operation.
Over the years members have come and gone. The project has evolved with new ideas and we've learned a lot of harsh lessons. We currently operate 16 different TLDs with full domains available underneath. Keeping with the original spirit, all domains are free (but read below for the catch!). We operate 79 DNS servers in 23 countries, all provided freely by our members, offer a few popular security options, and have a number of members available online who can help get you started.
Now here's the first catch... Remember I said there can only be one DNS root? Basically you have to point your computer to the one you want to use, and manufacturers always point to the ICANN root by default. This means that if you register an OpenNIC domain, most people will not be able to see it because ICANN doesn't recognize alternate roots. On the other hand, if you point your computer to an OpenNIC server, we do in fact recognize all ICANN domains plus some other alternate roots.
So if OpenNIC can see "more" of what's on the internet, why doesn't everyone use them instead of ICANN? Well, there's the other catch. As I mentioned, OpenNIC and all of its services are provided by volunteers, so the DNS server you pointed at today might not be there tomorrow. Since we don't make money, we can't buy a lot of servers and keep them available forever. We have developed tools over the years to provide information about the available servers, and scripts to help automate keeping your computer pointed to the closest operational server, but there is still the initial effort of setting it up.
Above all else, OpenNIC has been a learning platform. You can get your hands on all the information about how DNS works, from the top-level root down to registering a domain name, you can see the actual files generated by each transaction and speak with others to get a better understanding of the process. But the unfortunate truth is that no alt-root domains will be easily seen by your family or customers.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask below. You can view our website at https://www.opennic.org/ or speak to other members through IRC chat (#opennic on freenode).
