RFC 1031 (rfc1031) - Page 2 of 10
MILNET name domain transition
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 1031 MILNET DOMAIN TRANSITION November 1987
names were converted from a simple, flat namespace to a structured
name consistent with domains. In the second step, servers acting as
the root of the database hierarchy were put in place. In the next
step, hosts are moving away from host table usage.
MIGRATION PATH
All hosts will not change from host table to domain server usage at
one time. Accordingly, three stages of conversion to the domain
system are envisaged. These stages roughly correspond to 1)
continuing to use the host table for all applications, 2) using the
domain system for only some applications, and 3) using the domain
system for all applications. These stages will exist simultaneously
as various hosts convert their application software according to
available resources. The following paragraphs discuss these stages
in more detail.
Host Table Only
In the first stage, a host depends entirely on the host table for
name resolution. The table is obtained from the NIC's central
copy and the resolution is done by local table scanning. Most
hosts are in this stage.
Certain hosts may find it infeasible ever to convert to the domain
system, owing to older architectures, unchangeable software, or
other considerations. At the end of the conversion period, the
NIC will stop maintaining an internet host table. To continue
operations, hosts that do not convert will need to obtain an
equivalent of the host table from some source. This source may be
another host with which a bilateral agreement has been negotiated
offline, a community-of-interest host acting as central repository
for that community, or a locally-maintained table of host names
and addresses. Transfer of the table from the source is a matter
of local implementation and bilateral agreements.
Domain System and Host Table
In the second stage, a host will use both the host table and the
domain system. A likely scenario is that applications like TELNET
and FTP will use the domain system and that MAIL will continue to
use the host table for name resolution. An alternate scenario is
that batchstyle applications like MAIL would use the domain system
and that the interactive applications would convert later.
This stage is viewed as transitory, as hosts convert over to use
the domain system exclusively. It is highlighted as a separate
stage to emphasize the need during transition for both the host
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