Blog: DNSSEC

This summer the number of registrars on the Espresso CC platform, jointly developed by CoCCA Registry Services and Minds + Machines, has steadily grown with the migration of several ccTLDs onto the platform.

Recent grants from Minds + Machines have enabled the development of several gTLD desired features including: one-step EPP server, WHOIS server and key retrieval configuration; transfer activity reporting; one-click database back up; banded volume discount settings, and many other easy-to-use features for TLD operators.

The Espresso system is EPP-compliant; supports IPV6, ENUM, DNSSEC; allows shadowed domains to combat botnet attacks such as Conficker; enables IDNs (internationalized domain names); and supports and multiple language files (15 so far) allowing registrars to manage their accounts in their native language.

Minds + Machines, as CoCCA’s partner, is offering a fully ICANN-compliant version of Espresso for new generic top-level domains in 2010. CoCCA (the Council of Country Code Administrators) is a member-owned organization that provides services to ccTLD operators. CoCCA began as a cooperative of three ccTLD operators, .CX (Christmas Island), .GS (South Georgia), and .NF (Norfolk Island) on a quest to build a better registry platform and to share resources as a way of achieving economies of scale. The more members, the less each has to contribute toward development, attorney fees, and infrastructure. In four years CoCCA has grown 700% , with twenty-one members now sharing resources using world-class EPP technology.

On behalf of its members, CoCCA accredits registrars that agree to follow best-practice recommendations in the registry-registrar-registrant business model. We warmly welcome the most recently approved registrars, who are now able to offer to their customers registrations in CoCCA member TLDs.

Here are the newly-accredited registrars, in alphabetical order. Welcome!

• 3w Media GmbH
  
  




• Bizcn.com, Inc.
  
  




• Blacknight Internet Solutions
  







• BRS Media, Inc.
  







• cctldnames
  







• Communigal
  







• Cybernaptics Ltd.







• DomainClub.com
  
  







• DomainersChoice
  







• Domain Monster
  







• Domain The Net Technologies
  







• Domaine.fr
  







• Enom
  







• Entorno Digital S.A.
  









• Gandi SAS
  







• Larsen Data
  







• Maridan Internet
  







• Moniker
  
  







• Networking4all
  







• Niceweb.eu
  







• NovaGroup
  







• Oxwell
  







• Register.eu
  







• Reg.Net.ua
  







• Todaynic.com, Inc.
  







• Web Solutions ApS
  







• Webworkers Internet Consultants
  







• Xin Net Technology
  

Minds + Machines has some interviews posted with our founders that have a wealth of information about the domain name industry, the new TLD process, DNSSEC, IDN, and an overview of the domain name business. There are some insights into the relationship between CoCCA and Minds + Machines, what we’re doing with capacity grants and Espresso CC.

Over the last few months we’ve been assisting CoCCA founder Garth Miller to help developing-nation country-code top-level domains upgrade their knowledge and infrastructure through the Minds + Machines Capacity Building and Grant Program. This program has so far funded regional workshops in southern Africa and the airfares to attend them, along with knowledge-transfer programs between regional ccTLDs. In addition, as we continue to improve the Espresso registry platform, we have introduced Espresso CC for country-code top-level domains, a high-quality EPP registry services platform for ccTLDs.

Today we’re happy to announce that Madagascar (.MG) has upgraded to the Espresso CC (country-code) registry platform.

To quote from the news page at CoCCA:

The Madagascar Network Information Center ( NIC-MG ) has completed their migration to the Espresso CC EPP registry platform…. NIC-MG has deployed a state of the art registry system, deployed a Whois server and is in the process of requesting ICANN update the the .mg ROOT-SERVER records to include anycast technology for maximum redundancy.

NIC-MG registry system will soon have off-site fail-over and escrow. DNSSEC is being studied with a view to deploy in the first quarter of 2010.

The changes in the technology being utilized by NIC-MG will be accompanied by a review of policy and procedures to address abuse of intellectual property rights, cyber-crime and protection of the public interest. The new system will allow local 24/7 registration and updates through various registrars, local ISP’s and other technology companies.

Minds + Machines has signed a long-term deal with Packet Clearing House (PCH) to supply Machines customers with world-class DNS with full support for IPv6, DNS Security, and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). DNS will be supplied to Minds + Machines customers at no additional cost. In addition, PCH will assure that Minds + Machines DNS are carbon and energy neutral, and do not contribute to global warming.

Here’s the press release:

Minds + Machines signs long-term agreement with Packet Clearing House (PCH) to supply high-quality DNS

Sydney, Australia, June 20, 2009 – Minds + Machines, a leading provider of top-level domain registry services, and Packet Clearing House (PCH), a leading provider of DNS services, today announced a long-term arrangement to provide DNS for Minds + Machines clients. The combination of Minds + Machines’ newly-built DNS centers and PCH’s existing DNS constellation will provide world-class DNS with full support for IPv6, DNS Security, and Internationalized Domain Names. Local and global service will be provided from more than fifty locations throughout the developed and developing world. DNS will be provided to Minds + Machines customers at no additional cost.
As part of the agreement, PCH will implement Minds + Machines commitment to the environment by ensuring that DNS services provided to Minds + Machines are carbon and energy neutral, and do not contribute to global warming.

“PCH is the gold standard for DNS,” said Antony Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “We are delighted to have been able to reach this comprehensive agreement to provide the best DNS to our customers while keeping to our commitment to protect the environment. We look forward to a long relationship with an outstanding organization.”

“In reaching a long-term agreement with Minds + Machines, we are teaming up with an innovative company that cares about its customers and the future of both the Internet and the planet,” said Bill Woodcock, Director of Research at PCH. “We were impressed by their level of commitment and delighted to have this opportunity to build the first carbon and energy balanced DNS network. We are very pleased to be working with Minds + Machines.”

Minds + Machines works internationally with companies, cities, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs to secure and operate new web addresses, known as top-level domains (TLDs). Minds + Machines provides the comprehensive application preparation services necessary to acquire a new TLD, as well as a robust, scalable registry hardware and software platform, used by over twenty TLDs worldwide today. Minds + Machines is know for its customer-friendly approach that is specifically designed to make the process of acquiring and operating new TLDs more accessible, more reliable and less expensive.

Packet Clearing House is a non-profit research institute that supports operations and analysis in the areas of Internet traffic exchange, routing economics, and global network development. Originally formed in 1994 to provide efficient regional and local network interconnection alternatives for the west coast of the United States, PCH has since grown to become the leading proponent of neutral independent network interconnection and provider of services at exchange points worldwide.

MINDS + MACHINES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE ARRANGEMENT WITH COCCA — MOST WIDELY DEPLOYED OPEN-SOURCE REGISTRY PLATFORM FOR COUNTRY-CODE EXTENSIONS TO BE ADAPTED TO NEW TOP-LEVEL DOMAINS FROM ICANN

MEXICO CITY (March 1, 2009). Minds + Machines has been granted the rights to the CoCCA registry software and the CoCCA brand for generic top-level domains. Minds + Machines will enhance the core code and features for new top-level domains and brand the platform as “Espresso,” which will be available in both hosted and locally-installed versions. CoCCA’s highly-praised work with country-code extensions will continue to be developed and made available to members of CoCCA to manage a ccTLD registry as a royalty-free open-source package.

The exclusive arrangement will mean very low prices for Espresso customers. By adding any of Minds + Machines’ consulting and marketing services, or services from Minds + Machines partners, new TLD applicants will be able to work with Minds + Machines to build their TLD cost-effectively.

“I’ve been watching use of CoCCA explode in country-code top-level domains. They’ve been winning because of their superior technology, low prices, and customer-first way of doing business,” said Antony Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “After seeing that other registry offerings were expensive and confusing, I was convinced that a partnership with CoCCA was the solution. I am very pleased to be able to begin from this great open-source foundation.”

“We are delighted with the arrangement,” said Garth Miller, head of Cocca Registry Services (NZ) Limited, the entity responsible the for development of the CoCCATools software on behalf of CoCCA Members “because it provides additional funding resources that will ensure that our software meets the challenges posed by the deployment of IDN TLDs, DNSSEC and other technologies required by our members.”

Minds and Machines will develop the CoCCA code and provide relevant improvements back to the open-source CoCCA codebase.

“More TLDs currently operate directly on CoCCA’s code than any other registry service provider,” said Minds + Machines COO, Jothan Frakes. “It is written in Java and adheres to the RFCs for registration, resolution, and whois information, works with IDN, IPv6, and DNSSEC over Anycast for DNS resolution and is secure and standards-based. It adds ease and elegance to registry operations, can be configured in an afternoon, has an existing channel of major registrars who are already contractually and technically integrated, and can be configured to work with any currency or language.”

For more information, contact Elaine Pruis at elaine[at]mindsandmachines.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOMAIN INDUSTRY LEADERS ANTONY VAN COUVERING, JOTHAN FRAKES AND ELAINE PRUIS LAUNCH “MINDS + MACHINES”—REGISTRY SERVICES COMPANY BASED ON COCCA PLATFORM WILL OFFER INEXPENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE SOLUTION FOR NEW TOP-LEVEL DOMAIN APPLICANTS.

MEXICO CITY (March 1, 2009). Domain name veterans Antony Van Couvering and Jothan Frakes announced today the formation of Minds + Machines, a domain name registry services company for new top-level domains (TLDs). Minds + Machines will offer full-service consulting (Minds) combined with Espresso, a top-tier domain registry software platform (Machines).

The Minds + Machines consulting solution extends from application to operations, and offers a full rebate of consulting fees from eventual registrations. Application preparation services, sales channel establishment, intellectual property protection (Sunrise Period) design, investment assistance, contention and objection resolution, staffing, ICANN liaison and other services will be offered. Minds + Machines has assembled a choice of best-of-breed partners into a complete registry package to make multiple vendors easy to manage. Auction services, DNS resolution, data escrow, trademark verification, design, and marketing partners are available to Minds + Machines clients, often at preferential rates.

Espresso, the Minds + Machines registry solution, is a cousin of CoCCA, the leading open-source solution used by dozens of country-code top-level domains and all the top ICANN registrars. Espresso extends the robust CoCCA platform to make it available to communities, organizations and entrepreneurs seeking to apply for a new top-level domain from ICANN.

“We’re cheaper, quicker, easier, stronger, and complete, as suggested by the Espresso brand,” said Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines. “After looking at all the current registry solutions, we saw a real opportunity to provide a better service. The combination of our consulting model, layered into CoCCA, which is a very inexpensive open-source software with a proven track record, is a key differentiator.”

Espresso is available as a hosted or locally-installed solution, and is customizable to any TLD business model. Espresso features an inexpensive flat “per registration” fee, with no setup fees and no lock-in. For corporations who envision just a few registrations, Minds + Machines offers an inexpensive setup fee and a low flat annual fee.

Minds + Machines has signed an exclusive agreement with CoCCA to provide Espresso to gTLDs, while CoCCA will continue to provide services to country-code TLDs. “We are thrilled that Antony, Jothan and Elaine are extending the CoCCA platform to the gTLD space by introducing Espresso,” said Garth Miller, CEO of CoCCA Tools. “This company launch will provide gTLDs applicants of all types and sizes an inexpensive and reliable alternative to existing legacy registry service operators.”

Espresso is fully compliant with ICANN requirements and has been thoroughly field-tested by over 20 currently-operating TLDs. “The Espresso platform fully supports key Internet standards related to registry operations, such as registration, resolution, and WhoIs, and works with important new standards like DNSSEC, IPv6, and IDN. The code is elegant. It is written in Java, can support any unicode language, is compatible with all major currencies, and can work with any of the anycast DNS providers,” says Jothan Frakes, Minds + Machines COO. “CoCCa, Espresso’s cousin, is in use today by more root-listed TLDs than any other software, and has most of the planet’s registrars already integrated to our EPP API, so new TLDs added to Espresso benefit from the large base of current registrars. This means they can go to market quicker because the registrars have already done the technical integration.”

Contact: Antony Van Couvering at avc[at]mindsandmachines.com