Joe, I'm pleased that you see this as the right forum and agree that this is a genuine "operational" issue -- hence my posting.
One issue that has been raised before ...a coherent, machine-readable interface ... similar to the whois
We've just run thru an RFI process, as well as sent the consultant to talk with major Registrars, and some smaller ones too. Interestingly enough, only a couple mentioned the need for a "who is" (Andy Linton was one -- better say that before he reminds me). Most saw a need to get access to specific domain name details around the clock. As I undersatnd it, the web interface provides that capability. We were not able to ascertain what additional information requirement there was, and how a "whois" type service provided that additional information. For instance, here is an "eclectic" we use (apologies, but we are not Unix oriented by any means), http://www.mjhb.mdr.ca.us/cgi-bin/dnw.pl?domain=domainz.net http://www.mjhb.mdr.ca.us/cgi-bin/dnw.pl?domain=nominet.org.uk http://www.mjhb.mdr.ca.us/cgi-bin/dnw.pl?domain=ina.com.au The information is broadly comparable with that provided from the .nz Register, http://domainz.waikato.ac.nz/cgi-bin/DNZ-REGISTER?domain_name=clear.net.nz What precisely is it that the Domainz services do not provide that you feel ought to be provided? Is it the content, is it the form in which it is provided? It makes sense to let us know now as we are redeveloping those systems. If there are key aspects of functionality that we do not provide, then we do need to consider how we go about doing that as part of our current exercise.
What are the chances of getting something like this rolled in to your next set of changes?
On the current proposals signalled for next week, little I suspect. These are targetted at specific address content changes and (hopefully) removal of the duality of name holder/billing addresses. (Strong note that this does *not* mean any change to the name holder's ability to appoint a billing agent and be billed indirectly)
Since you're giving as all months of notice...
Did I say that ?-)
there will be plenty of time ... to get a whois server organised, right? :)
As I set out above, if there is a deficiency in the registration services
offered right now and a compelling reason why that gap should be plugged, then
we will certainly consider that as part of the current RFI/RFP process.
Notwithstanding, I guess you've got to put together the case as to where the
deficiency lies, and the benefits in plugging the percieved gap, soon as you
can.
Good to hear from you, and looking forward to further input...
My reagrds,
PAtrick
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 22:28:45 +1200
From: Joe Abley
Certainly I see the NZNOG as a very important forum to "kick the changes" around, and I will welcome any construcive comments that may be forthcoming.
Since this topic does not relate to IP or beer it is probably off topic. Domainz may like to consider establishing a list for ISP's to _subscribe_ to in order to be informed of and discuss the changes you are making.
This sounds very much like an operational issue involving NZ Network Operators, regardless of the fact that it does not directly involve beer. If we're raising hands, then I would very much like to discuss the interface between registrars and Domainz -- and a "heads up" message to this list does far more for me than a bulletin posted somewhere on the www.domainz.net.nz. One issue that has been raised before, and I would like to raise again: it would be good to see a coherent, machine-readable interface to the domain operator's registry, similar to the whois service at whois.internic.net (but not nearly as broken or hard to parse) or perhaps whois.nic.uk. RIPE-181 is a convenient "standard" format. There is a valid operational need to be able to contact the administrative or technical contact for any zone. Concerns about people walking the DNS and pulling down spam-fodder from the server are valid, but IMHO this is no show-stopper, since (a) it's possible with the existing http interface anyway (b) it's not that hard to limit successive queries from the same client What are the chances of getting something like this rolled in to your next set of changes? Since you're giving as all months of notice to re-code our Domainz interfaces, there will be plenty of idle time for Domainz to get a whois server organised, right? :) Joe --------- To unsubscribe from nznog, send email to majordomo(a)list.waikato.ac.nz where the body of your message reads: unsubscribe nznog --------- To unsubscribe from nznog, send email to majordomo(a)list.waikato.ac.nz where the body of your message reads: unsubscribe nznog