Domain Name Services

We operate and maintain a number of key aspects of the DNS, including the root zone, and the .int and .arpa domains.

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  The DNS Root Zone

  The root is the upper-most part of the DNS hierarchy, and involves delegating administrative responsibility of “top-level domains”, which are the last segment of a domain name.

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  .INT

  The .int top-level domain, designed for the sole use of cross-national organisations, such as treaty organisations, that do not naturally fit into a specific country’s top-level domain.

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  .ARPA

  The .arpa domain is used internally by Internet protocols for purposes not designed to be directly accessed, as defined in various technical standards.

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  IDN Practices Repository

  A repository of permissible characters for different languages and writing systems provided for registration by different domain registries, helping to foster internationalization.

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  Label Generation Rulesets

  The rules governing which characters may be used in internationalised domain names, and which labels are treated as variants of one another, for the root zone and as references for second-level registries.

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  Root Key Signing Key (DNSSEC)

  The Root Key Signing Key provides verification of the DNSSEC-signed root zone, administered through public key signing ceremonies and serving as the DNS trust anchor.

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  Reserved Domains

  Specially designated domains that are held to serve specialized purposes, such as avoiding conflicts with potential real-world usage.