RFC 881 (rfc881) - Page 1 of 10
Domain names plan and schedule
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group J. Postel
Request for Comments: 881 ISI
November 1983
The Domain Names Plan and Schedule
This RFC outlines a plan and schedule for the implementation of domain
style names throughout the DDN/ARPA Internet community. The
introduction of domain style names will impact all hosts on the DDN/ARPA
Internet.
The Plan
Introduction
Domain style names are being introduced in the Internet to allow a
controlled delegation of the authority and responsibility for
adding hosts to the system. This also allows a subdivision of the
task of maintaining information about hosts.
The subdivision will be based on administrative authority or
organization boundaries (not necessarily network boundaries).
Certain requirements will be placed on organizations wishing to be
"top level" domains. Initially, all the hosts in the Internet
will be in the domain "ARPA". As soon as is practical a second
domain, "DDN", will be introduced. Other domains may be added
after that, provided the requirements listed below are met.
Domain names will be supported in the long run by a system of
special servers called "domain servers" which will be used to
translate names to addresses. While this system of domain servers
is being created and programs are being converted to use them, the
existing host tables will evolve to include domain style names.
The domain server design also provides for mapping mailbox
addresses to the host name of the mail server for that mailbox.
This feature allows mailboxes to be related to an organization
rather than to a specific host.
This plan will be implemented in the ARPA community. After the
domain system is demonstrated in the ARPA community, the DDN
Program Management Office (DDN-PMO) will determine the schedule
for implementation of the domain system in the DDN community.
This approach will cause some extra steps in the ARPA community
implementation, and may limit communication between the ARPA and
DDN communities in some ways. The details and implications of
this two phase approach are discussed more fully below.
Postel
