Why can the domain root server only have 13 units?

knowledge 11 Nov 2023 05:09:55 PM By:DN platform editor
Abstract:

This was also due to technological limitations at the time because of network transmission restrictions. To fit all root server data within a 512-byte UDP packet, there had to be a constraint on the number of root servers,

This was also due to technological limitations at the time because of network transmission restrictions. To fit all root server data within a 512-byte UDP packet, there had to be a constraint on the number of root servers, limiting them to 13 in total. Each server was named using a single letter from the alphabet, which is why the root servers are named from A to M.

Root servers primarily manage the main directory of the internet. There are only 13 of them worldwide, with one primary root server located in the United States. The remaining 12 are secondary root servers, with nine in the United States, two in Europe (in the United Kingdom and Sweden), and one in Asia (in Japan).

Why can the domain root server only have 13 units?

All root servers are under the unified management of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), authorized by the U.S. government. ICANN is responsible for the management of global internet domain root servers, domain systems, IP addresses, and more. These 13 root servers can direct internet communications, controlling web browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer and email programs. Due to the presence of approximately 260 approved internet suffixes (e.g., .com, .xyz, .net, .top) and certain country codes (e.g., .fr for France, .no for Norway) within the root servers, the U.S. government holds significant authority over their management. Root domain servers are considered essential infrastructure for the architecture of the internet. In foreign contexts, many computer scientists refer to root domain servers as "truth," highlighting their importance. In other words, attacking root domain servers is perhaps the most powerful, direct, and potentially devastating method of attacking the entire internet.

Why can the domain root server only have 13 units?

However, this was in the era of IPv4. In a more contemporary context and in alignment with the existing IPv4 root server architecture, the "Snowman Project" was initiated by the Next Generation Internet National Engineering Center. This project, completed in 2016 across 16 countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, India, Russia, Germany, and France, involved the deployment of 25 IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) root servers. This development formed a new framework, combining the original 13 root domain servers with 25 IPv6 root domain servers.

Dreaming.com and L5.com sold for $95,000 each

Dreaming.com and L5.com sold for $95,000 each

Recently, the domain name trading market has once again stirred up waves, with two domain name transactions of up to $95,000 attracting a lot of attention. The two domain names are Dreaming.com and L5.com.

Industry Information 21 Feb 2025 03:30:41 PM

Liverpool Football Club loses domain name dispute case

Liverpool Football Club loses domain name dispute case

Liverpool Football Club has lost a court case in a dispute over the LiverpoolFCTickets.com domain name.

Industry Information 21 Feb 2025 10:32:27 AM

NTIA launches research on the future development of .us domain names

NTIA launches research on the future development of .us domain names

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the United States has issued a "Market Research Request for Information (RFI)" for the future development of the US national top-level domain ".us".

Industry Information 20 Feb 2025 02:12:59 PM

The domain name Essos.com was sold at a high price of $80,000

The domain name Essos.com was sold at a high price of $80,000

Recently, NamePros community member Viet posted that the domain name Essos.com was sold for $80,000. It is understood that the domain name was registered in 2012. According to DotDB.com data, "Essos" has been registered in 32 suffixes.

Industry Information 20 Feb 2025 10:04:12 AM

Tucows Beats GoDaddy to Become New Technical Service Provider for India’s .in Domains

Tucows Beats GoDaddy to Become New Technical Service Provider for India’s .in Domains

Tucows has celebrated a major industry victory, defeating GoDaddy to become the new backend registry service provider for India’s .in country code top-level domain (ccTLD).

Industry Information 19 Feb 2025 04:16:58 PM

Commerce.com sold for $2.2 million, becoming the first seven-digit domain name transaction in 2025

Commerce.com sold for $2.2 million, becoming the first seven-digit domain name transaction in 2025

The Commerce.com domain name was successfully sold for US$2.2 million (approximately RMB 15.8 million), becoming the first public seven-digit domain name transaction in 2025, strongly breaking the annual record.

Industry Information 19 Feb 2025 11:48:48 AM

Why can the domain root server only have 13 units?