Hi Patrick, On Tue, May 11, 1999 at 10:28:54AM +1200, Patrick O'Brien wrote:
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).
If your consultant came and talked to CLEAR, then his questions didn't filter through to the code monkeys. Maybe we're not a "major Registrar"? Don't know. In any case, as far as I am concerned, a consistent machine-readable interface to the domain contact database is a must if you need to build support systems to handle operational issues (principally security and/or mail issues). For a large proportion of the world, a whois query does the trick. For NZ it doesn't, and although the http interface works fine for ad-hoc queries by humans, the next time the layout of the page is reformatted any automated query tool is liable to fall over.
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.
Hope that gives you some idea then...
For instance, here is an "eclectic" we use (apologies, but we are not Unix oriented by any means),
% whois -h net.whois-servers.net domainz.net
http://www.mjhb.mdr.ca.us/cgi-bin/dnw.pl?domain=nominet.org.uk
% whois -h uk.whois-servers.net nominet.org.uk
% whois -h au.whois-servers.net 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?
Spot on. A consistent interface is what is missing.
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.
I think it would be fairly trivial for you to provide this interface, and I think it would add some value. (I think, in fact, the Waikato guys knocked something suitable up ages ago, but Domainz were not able to decide precisely which fields should have been included, and hence it never went live) For an example of a trivial implementation, try nz.whois-servers.net, which is currently a CNAME to an aged (and noisy) DX2 that lives in my hall at home. The 200 well-spaced lines of shell script that accomplish this are yours to maintain if you'd like them.
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.
That all sounds highly commercial :) If it would help, I am happy for you to pay me for my 200 lines of shell script :)
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.
1. Benefits 1.1. it makes it easier for automated queries, where the results are inserted into other systems 1.2. it makes it easier for operations staff elsewhere in the world to find contact details for NZ domain holders when they need them 1.3. whois is the principal way that domain registration info has been published for years and years, and there are advantages to consistency (in the absense of a pressing reason to change the prevailing whois interface for functionality reasons) 2. Risks 2.1. cost of implementation -- likely very little; there is no significant additional cost to providing a whois interface than any other; a gateway approach is possible in any case which has been demonstrated to be simple to implement. I am hazy on the whole process by which ISPs' requirements for their interface to the registry are actioned and implemented by Domainz. What is the procedure?
Good to hear from you, and looking forward to further input...
You too! Joe --------- To unsubscribe from nznog, send email to majordomo(a)list.waikato.ac.nz where the body of your message reads: unsubscribe nznog