NCC#2008061819 [dnsmon-contact] Release of DNSMon source code under the GPL

Dear Koyo Wong,


On Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:39:21 +0800, Koyo Wong wrote:
> Dear Ruben,
> 
>  
> 
> Say hi, we contacted before. With DNSMON becoming open source under GPL, as
> an existing paid subscriber of the service, what does it mean to us? What
> would be our expectation changed?
> 
>  
> 
> We understand the value of DNSMON is those ubiquitous probes worldwide;
> given this what would be the point for one to set up his own?

Thank you for your message regarding the release of the DNSMON source code
under the GPL. We did this in the interests of transparency.

Firstly, the RIPE community funded the creation of this code (Through their
RIPE NCC subscription fees), and therefore the community is entitled to get
something back.

Secondly, we occasionally hear suggestions that the RIPE NCC might have
unfairly influenced the market for DNS monitoring providers by providing such a
powerful tool at such a low cost. By releasing the code, we level the playing
field to allow other providers to enter the market on equal footing.

As you note, the true power of the RIPE NCC DNSMON service is not in the code
itself, but in the large network of probes, the advanced data presentation
techniques that we adopt, and the neutral position of the RIPE NCC. Other
potential operators cannot claim these specific benefits.

You ask what this change means to you. Initially, nothing - the RIPE NCC is
committed to continue to offer the DNSMON service, and to continue to enhance
and improve the service for the benefit of all users. This is detailed in our
2008 Acitivity Plan, as detailed here:
http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-426.html

Eventually, in the long term, the release might well result in other (perhaps
commercial) organisations using our code, or adaptations of it, to begin to
provide similar and/or competing services. For you, as a consumer, healthy
competition is a good thing, because it encourages all suppliers to offer
continually improved services.

In the future you might have the option to use a DNS monitoring service other
than the RIPE NCC one, or you might choose to subscribe to multiple services to
provide you with even more data about your TLD. Either way, the benefits to the
consumer of variety and choice can only ever be a good thing.

You finally ask what would be the point for another provider to run such a
service. That, I cannot answer. It would be very difficult to replicate or
improve on our public DNSMON service, but if a company sees the potential to
profit from these measurements, or wanted to run them for free, or even run
DNSMON internally in a closed/enterprise environemnt, then it could well
happen. But, until such time, any comment is pure speculation.

At the RIPE NCC, we believe that our DNSMON service, with its wide network of
probes and other unique selling points, such as our 100% neutrality, is the
best DNS monitoring product available today. As such, we are committed to
keeping it running, and to its ongoing development and support. We genuinely
hope that you find the DNSMON data for .HK to be useful to your operations, and
invite any feedback you might have at any point.

I hope this adequately answers your queries. If you have any more questions,
please do let us know.



> 
>  
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
>  
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Koyo Wong
> 
> Project Manager - IT Service Management and Security
> 
> Hong Kong Domain Name Registration Company Limited
> 
> http://www.hkdnr.hk
> 
> T: +852 23191313   F: +852 23192626
> 
> D: +852 23193822   E: koyo.wong at hkdnr.hk 
> 
>  

Kind Regards,
	Ruben van Staveren

-- 
Ruben van Staveren                      RIPE Network Coordination Center
Information Services                    Singel 258 Amsterdam NL
http://www.ripe.net                     +31 20 535 4444
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