SSAC Comment on the ICANN gTLD Registry Transition Processes Model (R5)

Date IssuedDocumentReference IDCurrent Phase

  

SSAC Comment on the ICANN gTLD Registry Transition Processes Model (R5)SAC047

CLOSED



  1. Phase 1 Receive
  2. Phase 2 Understand
  3. Phase 3 Evaluate
  4. Phase 4 Implement
  5. Phase 5 Close
  6. Closed



Description:

The SSAC notes that in certain operating circumstances, registry functions, especially critical services such as DNS resolution and DNS security (DNSSEC), may be separable from other functions (registry database maintenance). The SSAC asks whether in such circumstances critical functions can be transitioned separately.


STATUS UPDATES

DatePhaseTypeStatus Updates

 

ClosedPhase ChangeThis Advice Item is now Closed.

 

Phase 5Phase UpdateThe ICANN Board sent the SSAC a letter regarding this advice item on 7 July 2017 with information on and rationale for the decision to not implement this advice (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/crocker-to-faltstrom-07jul17-en.pdf). Based on this rationale, this item is closed as of 7 July 2017.

 

Phase 3Board Update

The ICANN Board sent the SSAC a letter regarding this advice item on 7 July 2017 with information on and rationale for the decision to not implement this advice: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/crocker-to-faltstrom-07jul17-en.pdf.

ICANN considered the comment in SAC047 during the development of the Registry Transition Process. However, ICANN did not implement Recommendation 5, which suggested that critical registry functions could be operated by different registry operators during the emergency registry transition process.

Execution of an Emergency Back-End Registry Operator (EBERO) takeover is a complex exercise. Additional EBERO providers operating individual registry functions would increase the complexity of the EBERO process, without a clear objective or benefit. As the EBERO program is now operational, ICANN has additional evidence to support its implementation. To date, ICANN has simulated emergency failures of two TLDs voluntarily en route to termination (.DOOSAN and .MTPC) using the existing Registry Transition Process of a single EBERO provider operating all critical registry functions. These simulations have confirmed the complexity of the existing process.

ICANN notes that in standard registry operations, there are instances where gTLDs use multiple registry operators to run the critical registry functions. However, in these instances, ICANN has observed that there is always a primary registry service provider that coordinates the critical functions to ensure consistency.

 

Phase 3Phase ChangeNow in Phase 3: Evaluate & Consider.

 

Phase 2Board UpdateBoard 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 1Phase UpdateSSAC published SAC047: SSAC Comment on the ICANN gTLD Registry Transition Processes Model: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/sac-047-en.pdf.