Return to tldreport Forum - Message Thread - FAQ

Username: khansen
Date/Time: Tue, November 14, 2000 at 7:47 PM GMT
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows NT 4.0
Score: 5
Subject: NeuStar Response to .web Evaluation

Message:
 

 
To: ICANN
From: NeuStar

Comments on Report on New TLD Applications   Appendix B, Summary of NeuStar .web Application

NeuStar commends ICANN for the thorough evaluation performed by the ICANN staff and review team of the new gTLD Applications provided in its November 9th Report on New TLD Applications.  In the interest of providing ICANN and the Internet community with information related to areas in which the reports suggests clarification or elaboration is required, we would like to offer the following comments to the summary of NeuStars .web Application authored by the review team and found in Appendix B of the Report.  Consistent with the open and transparent manner in which the selection process is being conducted, we areposting these comments to the ICANN Public New gTLD Comment Forum.

The following comments are prefixed by the section heading of the Summary to which they refer.

A.4 Entity proposing Registry-Registrar Model: The reference to JVTeam should instead read NeuStar, as NeuStar is the sole bidder in this Application

B.2 Use of Melbourne IT resources or software: In reference to the last sentence of this section, the registry service proposed by NeuStar will not employ and is therefore not dependent upon any Melbourne IT developed software, intellectual property, or resources.

B.2.a Physical Facilities Operator: Both SRS data center sites (Chicago, Ill. and Sterling, Va) referenced in Section III.2.1 of our Application are existing facilities exclusively owned and operated by NeuStar.  These two SRS sites will also serve as two name server sites.  The other geographically diverse name server sites will be leased and operated by NeuStar.

B.2.c Ownership of XRP and related software:  XRP, the proposed new extensible registry protocol described in section III.2.2 of our Application, will be placed in the public domain and offered for consideration at IETF as the basis for an open industry standard.  Contrary to the Report, no existing Melbourne IT software or intellectual property is being employed.

B.2.d Co-active SRS Data Centers:   The databases in each of the two SRS data centers (Chicago and Sterling) are both active for updates.  Commits to the logical database from an SRS application process are simultaneously posted to both physical database servers using a distributed two-phase commit protocol that guarantees that the update is posted to both copies in a synchronous real-time fashion.  Please see Section III.2.13.1 of our Application for more information.

B.2.e Security: The billing and collection system, consistent with the rest of the SRS, utilizes advanced security measures including digital certificates for strong session authentication, and object-level signatures for strong authentication and non-repudiation of critical transactions requiring multi-entity authentication (e.g. transfers).   Please see Section III.2.6.2 of our Application.  In addition, individual userids and passwords are employed to identify individual registrar personnel in transaction logs.  NeuStar generally employs extensive military-grade-style security technologies, including biometric systems for physical data center access, and physical security token authentication (e.g. smartcard) for remote administration access, for all of its services.  But more important than the technology, we subject ourselves to regular Code of Conduct audits which include an audit of system/data security measures to ensure not only consistent security policy implementation but openness and transparency of our adherence to these measures.

B.4 Schedule dependency on Melbourne IT: As already commented above, no software or intellectual property of Melbourne IT is being employed by NeuStar to develop or operate the SRS, nor were any other assumptions made in committing to the rollout schedule in the Application.  To re-affirm, NeuStar stands completely able and committed to the milestones in that schedule, including delivery of an XRP interoperability testbed and commencement of landrush registrations within 6 months after contract execution, leading to full XRP access to a live SRS for ICANN accredited registrars within 9 months of contract execution.

C.2 NeuStars ability to singularly perform the registry function.   NeuStar firmly stands behind the .web application, and is committed to delivering, on its own, all of the innovative services in the NeuStar .web Application according to the terms, SLAs, and conditions described in the proposal.  This commitment to deliver the most stable and innovative platform is backed by demonstrated technical capabilities and years of operating experience providing highly reliable mission critical registry services to the communications industry. The solution in our proposal reflects 18 months over which NeuStar has been actively designing, on its own, the operational and business aspects of a TLD Registry. This commitment, we believe, is evidenced in our proposal through the enhancements to address industry issues, promotion of registrar competition, below-market pricing with future savings, and proposed transparency of operations.

NeuStar hopes the above comments and clarifications will be of assistance to ICANN in facilitating a complete assessment. We appreciate the opportunity to respond, and as always, are available to provide further clarification where needed.

Ken Hansen
NeuStar
       
     
     

 


Message Thread:


Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Cookies Policy