On Mon, 4 Nov 2002, John Crain wrote:
This WILL require a change to your root hints file. The new [...] Both the new and old j.root-servers.net IP space will provide answers in parallel for the foreseeable future.
Since its been 5 years since the hints/cache boot file has changed, it may be useful to remind people an immediate change to your local configuration files is not required. You don't need to slashdot internic.net tomorrow morning trying to download the file. As long as 1 listed IP address responds with the current list of root servers, the server doesn't even need to be a root server itself, your name server should figure out who are the current roots. In the 1980's and 1990's when the hints/cache file changed regularly, some people when years without updating it. Or only updated it when they upgraded their name server code. Don't Panic.