Re: Regestry Identifiers

[Michael Dillon <michael@memra.com>]

On Tue, 19 Nov 1996, David R. Conrad wrote:

> It would appear _your_ confusion comes from your misunderstanding of
> the difference between allocation and registration.  Both the existing
> address allocation entities (APNIC, RIPE-NCC, InterNIC's address
> allocation servic, etc) AND domain name allocation entities (ISO-3166
> TLD administrators, InterNIC domain name allocation service, AlterNIC,
> etc) maintain REGISTRATION databases to "register" who has been
> delegated control over what resource -- this is why they are called
> "registries".

Domain names are not allocated. IP addresses consist of all possible
combinations of four 8 bit integers. The addresses are allocated from that
fixed pool in a roughly sequential manner. Domain names are not severely
limited in length and are not allocated sequentially by some managing
authority. Instead, the domain name is chosen by the registrant. 

> It seems logical to me that the address allocation entities and the
> domain name allocation entities share database schemas and data
> formats in order to allow for exchange of contact information so you
> don't have to update your contact information in multiple places.
> Given there will be a BOF that addresses domain name issues, I would
> propose that the time for the database schema and format discussions
> be split among IRE and the domain BOF.

Thin edge of the wedge. Either they are related or they are not. If they
are related then a whole host of issues that should be dealt with
separately will end up being mixed together in both groups. Since neither
group is deliberating in secret, I suggest that the IP allocation people
conveniently leave those database issues out. 

Let the domain name people deal with it and join into their forum to
provide input. By the time the IP allocation folks get through their
most important work there should already be working contact database
specs.

> P.S. I have added "Changing the name of the working group" to the
>      IRE agenda.

Good.

Michael Dillon                   -               ISP & Internet Consulting
Memra Software Inc.              -                  Fax: +1-604-546-3049
http://www.memra.com             -               E-mail: michael@memra.com