Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
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Review of the DNS Root Server Advisory Committee
Background
In accordance of Article XI, Section 2 of the Bylaws , the role of the Root Server System Advisory Committee ("RSSAC") is to advise the Board about the operation of the root name servers of the domain name system. The RSSAC considers and provides advice on the operational requirements of root name servers, including host hardware capacities, operating systems and name server software versions, network connectivity and physical environment. The RSSAC also examines and advises on the security aspects of the root name server system, as well as reviews the number, location, and distribution of root name servers considering the total system performance, robustness, and reliability.Membership in the RSSAC consists of (i) each operator of an authoritative root name server (as listed at ftp://ftp.internic.net/domain/named.root), and (ii) such other persons as are appointed by the ICANN Board. The Chair is elected by the members of the DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee pursuant to procedures adopted by the members. The RSSAC appoints one non-voting liaison to the ICANN Board of Directors.
The RSSAC meets periodically, usually in conjunction with IETF meetings.
For more information about the RSSAC, see http://www.icann.org/committees/dns-root/
Update
The Board has appointed Westlake Consulting as the consultants for the independent review of the RSSAC. The consultants will be attending the ICANN meeting in Cairo to speak to members of the community as part of the review process. They will also be attending the next IETF meeting to observe the RSSAC meeting and to interview RSSAC members. It is expected that the consultants will have a draft report for discussion with the community at the Mexico meeting in March 2009.
Links
BGC RSSAC Review Working Group Charter
Request for Proposal and Terms of Reference