Testing root server down code
The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29 1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and spun out of control. Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
On Wed, 23 Oct 2002, Sean Donelan wrote:
The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29 1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and spun out of control.
Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
Microsoft DNS has a poor response and can spin out of control with all root servers available.. how would you tell the difference ;) Steve
Steve, You said...
Microsoft DNS has a poor response and can spin out of control with all root servers available.. how would you tell the difference ;)
This just in... The RPSEC mailing list has the recommendation to the Government (US that is) on both BGP and DNS.
ISP BGP & DNS Working Group Working Paper developed as part of the NSTAC Process - Not for Further Dissemination
(If your not meant to disseminate it, then why did it end up on the RPSEC mailing list?) Here is what it says about DNS...
Recommendations for DNS
1. Encourage physical diversity (both network and geographic) for top-level domain servers.
2. Encourage greater software diversity for DNS sever systems. Currently most DNS servers are based on the BIND Berkeley Internet Name Domain code base. There is also a Microsoft Windows version of DNS that very few groups currently run. 3. ...
Hence... At least in the US (and I can't say for the rest of the world), the government have been recommended to consider Microsoft's version of DNS. Will the UK Government follow in the US's footsteps? Martin ---------------------------------------- At 07:04 PM 10/23/2002 +0100, Stephen J. Wilcox wrote:
On Wed, 23 Oct 2002, Sean Donelan wrote:
The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29 1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and spun out of control.
Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
Microsoft DNS has a poor response and can spin out of control with all root servers available.. how would you tell the difference ;)
Steve
Sean, I was thinking. If the "servers" went down on 28 June 1985, how many were there? Host table #485 (October 1985) lists 1961 hosts. Peter
Two. SRI-NIC and ISI-B. A third root server ISI-F existed, but on June 12 1985 was changed to a "test" server. All were located in California. All were DECSystem-20/TOPS-20 mainframes running JEEVES. On October 31, 1985 (Halloween) the first BIND root server was announced at BRL-AOS (US east coast). http://www.donelan.com/dnstimeline.html On Wed, 23 Oct 2002, Peter Salus wrote:
I was thinking. If the "servers" went down on 28 June 1985, how many were there? Host table #485 (October 1985) lists 1961 hosts.
* sean@donelan.com (Sean Donelan) [Wed 23 Oct 2002, 19:34 CEST]:
The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29 1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and spun out of control.
Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
I'm certain that a lot of Linux users on dialups have their computers boot up with an `all root servers unreachable' condition present, and that the caching named's on their computers don't spin out of control. To name but one scenario. Regards, -- Niels. -- "War is God's way of teaching Americans geography." -- Ambrose Bierce, writer (1842-1914)
participants (5)
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Martin J. Levy -
Niels Bakker -
Peter Salus -
Sean Donelan -
Stephen J. Wilcox