Connecting ICANN and ISOC: ISOC's 1995 Master Plan for Controling DNS
The line of direct connection between ISOC, DON Heath, Vint Cerf and ICANN
has been pretty apparent to most ICANN watchers for quite a long while.
Consider the cast of characters. ISOC, known as the Internet Society, which
positions itself as the Professional Society for Internet professionals,
supporters, activists etc. Which also positions itself as global and grass
roots and in favor of control of the internet by the little guy. See Vint
Cerf's "the Internet is for Everyone" RFC of May 99. Don Heath has been
ISOC exec director since early 96. Reportedlyan ex MCI frame relay
salesman and friend of Vint Cerf. Vint, co-author of the TCP/IP protocol,
father of the Internet, but senior MCI executive for the past five years.
Vint who insupport of ICANN in May opined: "Let us dedicate ourselves to
the creation of a global legal framework in which laws work across national
boundaries to reinforce the upward spiral of value that Internet is capable
of creating." Finally consider ICANN as the US Government-mandated front
for ISOC's desire to ensure itself as the focal point of global control
over the internet.
Here is "draft one" of the ISOC master plan that dropped into my mailbox
recently. The dates are pretty interesting. Just over two weeks after the
imposition of charges by NSI in september of 1995, Larry Landweber, former
CSnet honcho and current ISOC president, launches the ISOC escapade.
Herewith a few highhlights: "1. ISOC will assume responsibility for the DNS
name space. This will include (a) determination of policies, procedures,
processes, and standards for the allocation of international domain names,
(b) the selection, licensing, and oversight of Internet Name Providers
(INPs) who are delegated to assign names within a designated portion of the
DNS name space. . . . .The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) will be
designated as the ISOC entity that will be responsible to act on behalf of
ISOC in matters relating to the DNS name space. The IAB will be responsible
for items (a)-(d) above. Each Internet Names Provider (registrar in 1999
parlance) will be required to adhere to the policies, processes,
procedures, and standards as determined by the IAB. ISOC recognizes that
while the DNS name space is international, the U.S. government has played
an important role in the development of the Internet. ISOC will work
closely with U.S. government officials to effect a transition from the
current administrative structure to the one described above."
If you ever wondered where IAHC and the MOUvement were born read on. I
reread my own email archives from September 14 1995 through early October
the other day. Was very interesting to see the immediate anti NSI rants by
Perry Metzger, Michael Dillon, Geoff Huston and others who would become
prominent over the next few years.
Basically the next four years are all foretold below. The ISOCites have
spawned a front for their activities. The front is ICANN. (No wonder
Larry Landweber was so upset when I pointed out *HIS* role last fall in
recruiting the ICANN board. Larry, do I understand accurately that CSnet
used to run the INET meetings in the late 80s and early 90s until you
joined ISOC and, bringing the INET cash cow along with you, gave it to ISOC
where the first ISOC INET was in Japan in 1992? If I have any of that
wrong, tell me. I certainly want to set the record straight.)
As you look at the cast of characters below pay attention to Nick Trio, IBM
employee, and forerunner of John Patrick, Mike Nelson, and Roger Cochetti.
The stakes increased dramatically from late 96 to mid 99, but the themes
are all here. ISOC as the entity which would use the IAB and Postel to
control and tax DNS. (How else will ISOC pay for its Internet and Society
task force?) ISOC to work in close collaboration with the US gov't and the
IAB with the Europeans and Japanese. ISOC-ICANN as world regualtory
authority for the Internet.
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 95 09:39:37 -0500
From: Lawrence Landweber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Message-Id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Received: by parmesan.cs.wisc.edu; Sun, 1 Oct 95 09:39:37 -0500
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: DNS Proposal
To Trustees and Advisory Council Officers: I would like to ask you not to
distribute the following outside the trustee and advisory council officer
list until there has been a chance for discussion and it is clear that
there is a consensus on proceeding.
Regards Larry
------------------------
To ISOC Trustees and Advisory Council Officers
The following proposal was developed by Brian Carpenter (Chair IAB), Jon
Postel (Director IANA), Nick Trio (ISOC Advisory Council Officer) and Larry
Landweber (ISOC President). There are MANY details to be filled in,
including precise specification of roles of each organization, IANA, IAB,
ISOC ...view the following as the FIRST DRAFT for discussion.
The process agreed upon by the above group is as follows: (1.) Distribute
this draft to solicit comments from ISOC Trustees and Advisory Council
Officers. (2.) Based on comments, prepare an informal DRAFT 2 for
distribution to and comment from members of the IAB, IESG, ISOC Advisory
Council, CIX, government officials and other stakeholders. (3.) Based on
comments on this draft, prepare an Internet Draft for comment by the wider
Internet community. (4.) In parallel, organize a meeting (the "Internet
Operations Summit" meeting that has been discussed on the BOT list) to
present the preliminary ISOC plan and obtain further feedback. All
stakeholders will be invited to this meeting. (5.) Also, in parallel, hold
focused discussions with U.S. government officials and other key
individuals regarding the transition from the current system. (6.) Present
the DNS plan at the Dallas IETF and solicit further input. (7.) Based on
all input received, prepare a detailed FINAL PLAN for ratification by the
ISOC BOT and the IAB.
DRAFT 1 - September 29, 1995 Outline of Proposal for the ISOC Role in DNS
Name Space Management
The Internet Society (ISOC) is prepared to provide leadership including
policy direction, coordination, and administrative oversight in the
allocation of international domain names.
In this regard, the followed is proposed:
1. ISOC will assume responsibility for the DNS name space. This will
include (a) determination of policies, procedures, processes, and standards
for the allocation of international domain names, (b) the selection,
licensing, and oversight of Internet Name Providers (INPs) who are
delegated to assign names within a designated portion of the DNS name
space, (c) dispute resolution, (d) establishing consultative and review
bodies, (e) provision of a legal umbrella for the activity, and (f)
financial oversight and accountability for funds received and disbursed by
the IANA, IAB, and ISOC for this activity.
2. The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) will be designated as the ISOC
entity that will be responsible to act on behalf of ISOC in matters
relating to the DNS name space. The IAB will be responsible for items
(a)-(d) above.
3. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) will be delegated as the
organization responsible for implementing the policies, procedures,
processes, and standards specified by the IAB.
4. A goal of the DNS management activity will be to provide for a
competitive environment in which a choice of different INPs will be
available to customers. To accomplish this the IANA will license INPs who
will be responsible for allocating portions of the name space. To provide
for competition, new top level domains may be established. Another area for
study is the sharing of a single top level domain among multiple INPs.
While there are advantages to doing this, there are significant unresolved
questions.
5. Each INP will be required to adhere to the policies, processes,
procedures, and standards as determined by the IAB.
6. INP licensees will pay an annual fee to ISOC. Funds raised will be used
to support the DNS name space management activity described in this
document. Fee structures will be set to generate only sufficient funds to
cover the necessary core activities, and will not fund ISOC programs or
activities not connected with the DNS.
7. INPs will be allowed to determine their fees.
8. INPs will be required to obtain a designated level of liability
insurance and to, in their contract with ISOC, hold ISOC harmless for their
actions. ISOC will also obtain liability insurance to cover its designated
representatives. It will also endeavor, through the specification and
establishment of fair and open processes and dispute resolution mechanisms,
to minimize the likelihood of legal action.
10. The IAB will provide liaison, as appropriate, in this area with
national governments, international organizations, Internet Service
Providers, and industry and educational organizations and associations.
11. ISOC recognizes that while the DNS name space is international, the
U.S. government has played an important role in the development of the
Internet. ISOC will work closely with U.S. government officials to effect a
transition from the current administrative structure to the one described
above.
12. ISOC recognizes that the DNS name space is international and it is
partly for that reason that it will designate the IAB, an international
body within ISOC, to be responsible for this activity.
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