New Instance of RIPE NCC Operated K-root Server Deployed in Russia

Press Release | Amsterdam, 12 January 2006

On 12 January 2006, the RIPE NCC (Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre) in partnership with the Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN) switched on a new mirror instance of the K-root Internet root name server in Novosibirsk, Russia. The node was installed in March 2005, but could not be put into production due to technical issues.

The K-root server is one of the thirteen Internet root name servers that resolve lookups for domain names all over the world. It forms a critical part of the global Internet infrastructure. The Domain Name System (DNS) is a service used to translate between host names and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses by virtually all Internetworking software, including e-mail and web browsers.

Following Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on root servers in October 2002, the RIPE NCC has worked to improve the reliability of the root server system by installing mirror instances of K-root server.

The K-root server incorporates IP anycast technology. It uses routing topology to send Internet traffic to the nearest or best destination. This leads to better distribution of services and improves response times for End Users.

The RIPE NCC has operated the K-root server since 1997, when we installed the first instance at the London Internet Exchange (LINX) in London, UK. Since early 2003, our engineers have deployed mirror instances of the K-root server in Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Brisbane, Budapest, Doha, Frankfurt, Geneva, Helsinki, Milan, Poznan, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Delhi and Miami.

You can find out more about the K-root server at:
http://k.root-servers.org

About the RIPE NCC

The RIPE Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that provides services to members in the RIPE NCC service region. The membership consists mainly of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecommunication organisations and large corporations.

The RIPE NCC also provides services for the benefit of the Internet community at large
including the development and maintenance of the RIPE Database, administrative support for the RIPE community and the development and coordination of member-supporting projects.