This is another scratch-pad post that’s aimed at a narrow audience — network geeks, especially in ISPs and corporations. The first bit is a 3-minute read, followed by a 20-minute “more detail” section. If you’re baffled by this, but maybe a little concerned after you read it, please push this page along to your network-geek friends and colleagues and get their reaction. Feel free to repost any/all of this.
Key points before we get started
- I don’t know what’s going to happen
- I don’t know what the impact is going to be, but in some cases it could be severe
- Others claim to know both of those things but I’m not convinced by their arguments right now
- Thus, I think the best thing to do is learn more, hope for the best and prepare for the worst
- My goal with this post is just to give you a heads-up
If I were you, I’d:
- Scan my private network and see if any of my names collide with the new gTLDs that are coming
- Check my recursive DNS server logs and see if any name collisions are appearing there
- Start thinking about remediation now
- Participate in the discussion of this topic at ICANN, especially if you foresee major impacts
- Spread the word that this is coming to friends and colleagues