Call for Proposals for the Installation of DNS Root Server Copies

30/05/2018

In line with its policy for strengthening regional Internet infrastructure, LACNIC presented its 2018 call for proposals for the installation of anycast root server copies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This call for proposals is part of LACNIC’s +Raices project, is open to all Internet organizations in the region, and will receive applications from both Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and Network Access Points (NAPs).

Installing these servers around the region increases the resilience of access to one of the Internet’s most critical resources, namely the DNS root. Root server copies increase redundancy and decrease the criticality of resources, thus providing for a better response to potential DDoS attacks or eventual infrastructure failures which might render certain root servers inoperative.

Last year, fifteen proposals were submitted. Out of these fifteen proposals, three projects were chosen for the installation of root servers: one server is already operating at NIC.py and the process is already underway for Chile’s Ministry of Security and Transtelco of Mexico.

LACNIC coordinates actions with host institutions as well as with root server providers, while also promoting the installation of new root server copies, said Guillermo Cicileo, Head of LACNIC’s Internet Security & Stability Program.

Cicileo shared details of this year’s call for proposals during a presentation at the LACNIC 29 event and highlighted the advantages of having root servers in the countries of the region.

Among other benefits, Cicileo mentioned a more direct access to the DNS, one of the Internet’s critical resources; improved connectivity for local Internet users and providers; greater resilience in case of attack; and the possibility of solving DNS issues in the event of Internet outages.

A note for applicants. This year’s call for proposals states that each host organization will bear the cost of hosting the server, as well as the cost of the bandwidth needed to operate the root server copy. Applicants must also provide the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for the server’s management interface.

Any organization interested in applying must have its own autonomous system and IP resources assigned by LACNIC. It must also have rich national and international connectivity to publish anycast prefixes. Likewise, it must be able to establish a BGP session with the server and publish the prefixes it receives to other peers.

To apply, go to the following link: http://www.lacnic.net/2831/1/lacnic/