New Instance of RIPE NCC Operated K-root Server Deployed in Tokyo, Japan

Amsterdam, 19 April 2005

The RIPE NCC (Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre) has deployed a new mirror instance of the K-root Internet root name server in Tokyo, Japan. This mirror server is the first global node outside Europe and should help stabilise the Internet infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.

The success of this project is based on the collaboration between and support of several organisations and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region. The deployment has been possible thanks to a partnership with the WIDE Project, represented by the Keio Research Institute at SFC, OCN and ntt.net represented by NTT Communications Corporation, JPNAP, represented by the Internet Multifeed Company and DIX-IE.

The K-root server is one of the 13 Internet root name servers that resolve lookups for domain names all over the world and form 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.

The K-root server incorporates IP anycast technology, using routing topology to direct Internet traffic to the nearest or best destination. This enables better distribution of requests and improves response times for End Users.

In response to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on root servers in October 2002, the RIPE NCC has worked to improve the reliability of the DNS by installing mirror root servers, mainly in Europe.

Information about this node can be found on the K-root website:
http://k.root-servers.org/