Google’s Proposed Dotless Domain Amendment to its .search gTLD Application

by SkyDriver Thu 20 Jun 2013, 5:09 am

http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/tennenhouse-to-crocker-et-al-17may13-en

Reaction from Microsoft as PDF file:

http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/tennenhouse-to-crocker-et-al-17may13-en.pdf

by SkyDriver Fri 12 Jul 2013, 12:07 pm

It has come to the attention of the IAB that there are proposals for so-called “dotless” domains in the root zone, and that some existing top-level domains (TLDs) are already operating in such a mode. TLD operators of dotless domains are intending that single label names — those containing no dots — resolve to the TLD itself, rather than be resolved locally, within the context of the local site at which the user resides.

Unfortunately, dotless domains will not work as intended by TLD operators in the vast majority of cases. As recommended by IETF standards track RFCs, existing deployed systems apply a search list to single-label names prior to attempting to resolve them. As a result, the resolution of dotless domains depends on local configuration such as the search list. For example, in a location where “example.com” is included within the search list, the URL http://printer1/ will generate a query for “printer1.example.com”, whereas in a location where “example.net” is in the search list, it will generate a query for “printer1.example.net”.

http://www.iab.org/documents/correspondence-reports-documents/2013-2/iab-statement-dotless-domains-considered-harmful/

by SkyDriver Tue 06 Aug 2013, 9:37 am

In May 2013, ICANN contracted Carve Systems LLC (“Carve”) to perform a study on the stability and security implications of the proposed dotless domain name functionality. Top Level Domains are those most Internet users are familiar with (com, net, info, edu, gov, org, etc.). These domains form the foundation of the Domain Name System (DNS). All domains must ultimately have, or be, a Top Level Domain (TLD).

Presently, if an Internet user attempts to resolve a gTLD name, such as ‘example’, without any “periods”, no corresponding Internet address is returned. If ‘example’ were permitted to be a dotless domain name, it would resolve to an Internet address. In practice, this would mean that a dotless site, such as http://example, could now be a legitimate destination on the Internet if dotless domain names are allowed.

With ICANN’s new gTLD program there will be more gTLDs operated pursuant to contracts with ICANN. Some of the organizations that have submitted applications to manage new gTLDs have expressed interest in operating as ‘dotless’ domain names. The introduction of dotless gTLDs could have implications for the stability and security of Internet infrastructure.

The consideration of publicly resolvable dotless domain names has created concern due to the wide reaching scope of TLDs.The SAC 0531 report from the ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) has detailed some of these concerns. A primary finding of SAC 053 is that Microsoft Internet Explorer, by default, places dotless domain names in its trusted Intranet Security zone. The report also raised further concerns. As a result, ICANN contracted a deeper study into the risks imposed by dotless domain names to the security and stability of the DNS system, and Internet, as a whole.

This report details the approach, methodology, and results of this study.

http://www.icann.org/en/groups/ssac/documents/dotless-domain-study-29jul13-en.pdf

by SkyDriver Fri 16 Aug 2013, 4:51 pm

Approved Resolution | Meeting of the New gTLD Program Committee:

Resolved (2013.08.13.NG02), in light of the current security and stability risks identified in SAC053, the IAB statement and the Carve Report, and the impracticality of mitigating these risks, the NGPC affirms that the use of dotless domains is prohibited.

https://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-new-gtld-13aug13-en.htm

by SkyDriver Fri 06 Sep 2013, 2:36 pm

Summary: Google's hopes for domain names without the customary 'dot' are now dead in the water.

http://www.zdnet.com/icann-kills-google-dotless-domain-hopes-7000020165/

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