SSAC Advisory on DNS "Search List" Processing (R-3B)
| Date Issued | Document | Reference ID | Current Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSAC Advisory on DNS "Search List" Processing (R-3B) | SAC064 | DEFERRED |
DESCRIPTION
In the context of mitigating name collisions, ICANN should consider the following steps to address search list processing behavior.
B. Communicate to system administrators that search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names provisioned under the newly delegated top-level domains. Such communication should complement the current ICANN effort in this area with findings and recommendations from this report.
DEPENDENCIES
ICANN org will take up further action once the NCAP's work on analyzing the causes of queries for non-existent TLDs to the root is complete.
STATUS UPDATES
| Date | Phase | Type | Status Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 3 | Phase Change | Now in Phase 3: Deferred |
| Phase 3 | Dependencies | ICANN org will take up further action once the NCAP's work on analyzing the causes of queries for non-existent TLDs to the root is complete. |
| Phase 3 | Phase Update | The org is finalizing the feasibility assessment for Recommendation 3B (R-3B). The document is expected to be ready for the Board to review in the 1st quarter of 2023. |
| Phase 3 | Phase Update | ICANN org will draft a preliminary evaluation in which a feasibility assessment is conducted and the item is brought before the Board for implementation consideration. The preliminary evaluation for the advice item will be completed by 8 December 2022. |
| Phase 2 | AP Feedback | SSAC confirmed the revised Understanding. |
| Phase 2 | Board Understanding | ICANN org will update "Guide to Name Collision Identification and Mitigation for IT Professionals" to reflect information learned since it was published in 2014. In that update, ICANN org will discuss how search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names that are currently delegated and names that will be delegated in the future. |
| Phase 2 | Phase Update | Updated Understanding sent to SSAC for review. |
| Phase 2 | AP Feedback | The SSAC notes that ICANN produced the “Guide to Name Collision Identification and Mitigation for IT Professionals”, available at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/name-collision-mitigation-01aug14-en.pdf. From the SSAC perspective, it would be good to update this document and include a discussion on search list processing. Also, Appendix B for SAC064 was for illustrate purposes, there is also no need to redo the appendix B of SAC064 for the update. |
| Phase 2 | Phase Update | Clarifying question sent to the SSAC for review. |
| Phase 2 | Clarifying Question | Our understanding is that ICANN org should communicate to system administrators that search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names delegated as new gTLDs from the 2012 application round for the New gTLD Program. We note that "system administrators" encompasses a very broad group, that system administrators don't typically participate in the ICANN community, that ICANN org has no relationship with any groups with system administrators as members, and that ICANN org has no established mechanism to communicate to system administrators. The org (OCTO) requests additional information and clarification from SSAC. How would SSAC suggest that the org communicate to system administrators given the obstacles described above? |
| Phase 2 | Phase Change | Now in Phase 2: Understand |
| Phase 4 | Phase Update | SAC064 Recommendation 3 will be parsed into two separate Action Requests: Recommendation 3A and Recommendation 3B. |
| Phase 4 | AP Feedback | The SSAC would prefer this item remain open and in Phase 4 | Deferred throughout NCAP. |
| Phase 4 | Phase Update | OCTO proposes closing this item because it will be addressed as part of NCAP, rather than leaving it lingering and deferred for a long period. |
| Phase 4 | Phase Change | Now in Phase 4: Deferred |
| Phase 4 | Phase Update | Notification: Further implementation of this item is deferred as of 23 September 2019 pending external activity. ICANN org will take up further action once the NCAP's work on analyzing the causes of queries for non-existent TLDs to the root is complete. |
| Phase 4 | Phase Update | Per September Board Status Update Meeting - Moved to "Phase 4 | Deferred" pending completion of NCAP work. |
| Phase 4 | Phase Change | Now in Phase 4: Implement |
| Phase 3 | Phase Update | The ICANN organization understands that SAC064 R-3 means that the SSAC recommends that in the context of mitigating name collisions, ICANN should consider the following steps to address search list processing behavior: a. ICANN should consider whether to commission additional studies to further understand the cause of invalid queries to the root zone and the significance of search list processing as a contributor to those queries. b. ICANN should communicate to system administrators that search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names delegated as new gTLDs from the 2012 application round for the New gTLD Program. On 24 June 2017, the ICANN Board accepted this advice and directed the ICANN organization to implement per the ICANN organization's recommendation (https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-06-24-en#2.b). |
| Phase 3 | Board Update | Resolved (2017.06.24.19), the Board adopts the SSAC recommendations outlined in the document titled "Implementation Recommendations for SSAC Advice Documents SAC062, SAC063, SAC064, SAC065, SAC070, and SAC073 (08 June 2017) [PDF, 433 KB]", and directs the CEO to implement the advice as described in the document. SAC064 Recommendation 3b proposed solution: There are two parts to the advice and a separate recommendation is provided for addressing each: b) ICANN undertook a communications effort to publicize searchless behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems that could cause collision with names delegated as new gTLDs from the 2012 application round for the New gTLD Program. No further action with regard to this portion of the advice is warranted. The Communications department and OCTO would need to work together to develop a plan. Costs associated with the technical portion of this plan would need to be developed by OCTO. Additional resources may be needed to facilitate this project. See full resolution at https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-06-24-en#2.b |
| Phase 3 | Phase Update | ICANN received SSAC's approval of understanding and is in the process of evaluating the advice. Our understanding of SAC064 R-3 is that the SSAC recommends that in the context of mitigating name collisions, ICANN should consider the following steps to address search list processing behavior: a. ICANN should consider whether to commission additional studies to further understand the cause of invalid queries to the root zone and the significance of search list processing as a contributor to those queries. b. ICANN should communicate to system administrators that search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names delegated as new gTLDs from the 2012 application round for the New gTLD Program. |
| Phase 3 | Phase Change | Now in Phase 3: Evaluate & Consider |
| Phase 2 | Board Update | Board consideration of the advice is still required. Status provided in 19 October 2016 letter from ICANN Board Chair to SSAC Chair (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/crocker-to-faltstrom-19oct16-en.pdf). There is outstanding work on this advice item, and it will be addressed through the BAR pilot process. |
| Phase 2 | AP Feedback | SSAC confirmed the understanding. |
| Phase 2 | Board Understanding | Our understanding of SAC064 R-3 is that the SSAC recommends that in the context of mitigating name collisions, ICANN should consider the following steps to address search list processing behavior: a. ICANN should consider whether to commission additional studies to further understand the cause of invalid queries to the root zone and the significance of search list processing as a contributor to those queries. b. ICANN should communicate to system administrators that search list behaviors currently implemented in some operating systems will cause collision with names delegated as new gTLDs from the 2012 application round for the New gTLD Program. |
| Phase 1 | Phase Update | SSAC published SAC064: SSAC Advisory on DNS "Search List" Processing: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/sac-064-en.pdf. |
