OpenNIC

{{Short description|Organization}}

{{Infobox organization

| logo = OpenNIC Logo

| type =

| purpose = Provides a non-national alternative to the traditional Top-Level Domain registries. OpenNIC is a user-owned and -controlled Network Information Center.

| key_people =

| footnotes =

| name = OpenNIC

| founded_date = {{start date and age|2000|06|1}}

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| homepage = {{URL|https://servers.opennic.org/}}

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}}

OpenNIC (also referred to as the OpenNIC Project) is a user-owned and -controlled{{Cite web|url=https://prism-break.org/en/projects/opennic/|title=OpenNIC - Projects - PRISM Break|last=Zhong|first=Peng|website=prism-break.org|access-date=2017-01-15|archive-date=2018-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116024246/https://prism-break.org/en/projects/opennic/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://scoop.opennic.unrated.net/special/faq/|title=Frequently Asked Questions|last=|first=|date=|website=scoop.opennic.unrated.net|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522072531/http://scoop.opennic.unrated.net/special/faq|archive-date=May 22, 2008|access-date=}} [https://scoop.opennic.unrated.archive.moderntld.com/special/faq/ Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131194546/https://scoop.opennic.unrated.archive.moderntld.com/special/faq/ |date=2017-01-31 }} top-level Network Information Center that offers a non-national alternative to traditional top-level domain (TLD) registries such as ICANN. As of January 2017, OpenNIC recognizes and peers all existing ICANN TLDs, for compatibility reasons. However, OpenNIC has not yet evaluated and does not hold a formal position on future ICANN TLDs.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:faq|title=What is OpenNIC?:OpenNIC Wiki|website=wiki.opennic.org|access-date=2017-05-05}}

In addition to resolving hostnames in the ICANN root, OpenNIC also resolves hostnames in OpenNIC-operated namespaces, as well as within namespaces with which peering agreements have been established. Some OpenNIC recursive servers (Tier 2 servers) are known for their high speeds and low latency, relative to other more widely used DNS recursors,{{Cite web|url=https://binfalse.de/2010/12/opennic-dns-network/|title=OpenNIC DNS Network|last=|first=|date=December 3, 2010|website=|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624024233/http://binfalse.de/2010/12/opennic-dns-network|archive-date=June 24, 2013|access-date=}} as well as their anonymizing or no-logging policies.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/11/tech-tips-to-help-stay-safe-in-trumps-america/|title=Tech tips to help stay safe in Trump's America|last=Coldewey|first=Devin|date=November 11, 2016|website=TechCrunch|publisher=|access-date=2017-01-15}}{{Cite news|url=http://charlieharvey.org.uk/page/anonymised_dns_opennic|title=Anonymous Public DNS with OpenNIC|last=Harvey|first=Charlie|newspaper=charlieharvey.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-15}} Many servers offer DNSCrypt. Community volunteers operate Tier 2 servers across a multitude of geographic locations.

Like all alternative root DNS systems, OpenNIC-hosted domains are unreachable to the vast majority of Internet users because they require a non-default configuration in one's DNS resolver.

History

On June 1, 2000, an article was posted on kuro5hin.org advocating a democratically governed domain name system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory;sid=2000/7/16/12039/2519|title=kuro5hin.org|last=|first=|date=|website=www.kuro5hin.org|publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129040626/http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory%3Bsid%3D2000%2F7%2F16%2F12039%2F2519|archive-date=January 29, 2019|access-date=|url-status=live}} [http://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:faq#how_did_opennic_start Alt URL] The first OpenNIC servers went into operation July of that year.

OpenNIC TLDs

= OpenNIC namespaces =

These TLDs are currently served by OpenNIC and were constructed with the approval of the OpenNIC community.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:namespaces|title=OpenNIC Operated Namespaces|last=|first=|date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Name

!Intended use

!Date introduced

!Restrictions

!Notes

!Status

.bbs

|Bulletin Board System servers, and related BBS websites and services

|2000-12-29

|Domain must provide BBS type services.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:bbs|title=.bbs TLD|last=|first=|date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=|quote=If a site is no longer providing BBS type services, that should also be grounds for removal of the domain.}}

|

|{{partial|Manual Registration}}

.chan

|A Top Level Domain "for imageboards and communities related to imageboard culture"{{Cite web|url=http://chandns.net/|title=opennic.chan|website=chandns.net|access-date=2017-09-27}}

|2015-10-21

|

|

|{{active}}

.cyb

|Cyberpunk-related content

|2017-08-14

|

|

|{{active}}

.dyn

|Dynamic DNS pointers

|2014-05-30

|Only A, AAAA, RP and TXT records can be modified.

|Unused domains are removed after 28 days.

|{{active}}

.epic

|General purpose domain for anything of an "epic" nature

|2019-09-03

|

|

|{{active}}

.free

|Organizations that encourage the non-commercial use of the Free Internet

|

|Non-commercial use only. No new registrations accepted.

|Moved to .libre following ICANN addition of .free.{{Cite web|url=https://lists.opennicproject.org/sympa/arc/discuss/2017-01/msg00001.html|title=Re: [opennic-discuss] Call for vote on .free issues|last=|first=|date=January 3, 2017|website=OpenNIC Mailing List Archive|publisher=|access-date=}} Currently still resolving.

|{{dropped}}

.geek

|Anything of a personal or hobbyist nature that would be considered "geeky"

|2008-02-18

|

|

|{{active}}

.gopher

|Content delivery via the gopher protocol

|

|Must serve content via the gopher protocol.

|

|{{active}}

.indy

|Independent media and arts

|

|

|

|{{active}}

.libre

|Organizations that encourage the non-commercial use of the Free Internet

|2017-01-03

|Non-commercial use only

|Successor to .free after the introduction of .free on the ICANN namespace

|{{active}}

.neo

|General purpose

|

|

|Usage should lean towards themes present in the 'emo subculture'{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:neo|title=.neo TLD|last=|first=|date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=}}

|{{partial|Manual Registration}}

.null

|Miscellaneous

|

|Non-commercial use only. Only natural people may hold a .null domain.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:null|title=.null TLD|last=|first=|date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=}}

|

|{{active}}

.o

|General purpose{{Cite web|url=https://www.moderntld.com/about/charter/|title=.o Charter|last=|first=|date=|website=www.moderntld.com|publisher=|access-date=|archive-date=2017-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050645/https://www.moderntld.com/about/charter/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:o|title=.o TLD|last=|first=|date=November 30, 2016|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=January 15, 2017}}

|2016-11-28{{Cite web|url=https://lists.opennicproject.org/sympa/arc/discuss/2016-11/msg00066.html|title=Re: [opennic-discuss] [Vote] .o TLD Proposal|last=|first=|date=November 28, 2016|website=OpenNIC Mailing List Archive|publisher=|access-date=}}

|Prohibits domain squatting and spam usage.

|

|{{active|Active{{Cite web|url=https://blog.moderntld.com/news/2017/04/20/o-registration-system-online/|title=.o Registration System Online|date=2017-04-20|website=ModernTLD News|access-date=2017-04-20|archive-date=2017-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421094247/https://blog.moderntld.com/news/2017/04/20/o-registration-system-online/|url-status=dead}}}}

.oss

|Open Source Software

|

|

|

|{{active}}

.oz

|Australian websites (alt-ccTLD)

|2012-06-11

|

|

|{{active}}

.parody

|Parody websites

|

|Non-commercial use only

|

|{{active}}

.pirate{{Cite news|url=https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-domains-now-available-through-opennic-120515/|title=.Pirate Domains Now Available Through OpenNic - TorrentFreak|date=2012-05-15|newspaper=TorrentFreak|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-15}}

|Internet Freedom and sharing

|

|

|

|{{active}}

= Peering agreements =

OpenNIC provides resolution for selecting other alternative DNS roots.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:namespaces?s[]=tlds#peered_top-level_domains|title=OpenNIC Peers:OpenNIC Wiki|website=wiki.opennic.org|access-date=2017-01-15}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Name

!Intended use

!Date Introduced

!Notes

!Peer Authority

!Status

.bazar

|free marketplace

|

|

|Emercoin

|{{active}}

.bit

|Namecoin systems, websites and services

|

| Depeered due to disagreements between the OpenNIC and Namecoin projects.{{Cite web|url=https://lists.opennicproject.org/sympa/arc/discuss/2019-06/msg00000.html|title=Discuss - [opennic-discuss] Vote to keep or drop peering with NameCoin - arc}}

|Namecoin

|{{dropped}}

.coin

|digital currency and commerce websites

|

|

|Emercoin

|{{active}}

.emc

|websites associated with the Emercoin project

|

|

|Emercoin

|{{active}}

.fur

|Furries, Furry Fandom and other Anthropormorphic interest websites{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=FurNIC |url=http://proxy.opennicproject.org/proxy.php?q=aHR0cDovL25pYy5mdXIv&hl=3ed |access-date= |website=FurNIC |publisher=}}

|2003-11-?{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikifur.com/wiki/.fur|title=.fur - WikiFur, the furry encyclopedia|website=en.wikifur.com|access-date=2017-01-15}}

|Originally an OpenNIC TLD, now operated by FurNIC.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:fur|title=.fur TLD|last=|first=|date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=|access-date=}}

|FurNIC

|{{active}}

.ku

|Kurdish people

|

|

|New Nations

|{{active}}

.lib

|From Words Library and Liberty - that is, knowledge and freedom

|

|

|Emercoin

|{{active}}

.te

|Tamil Eelam

|

|

|New Nations

|{{active}}

.ti

|Tibet

|

|

|New Nations

|{{active}}

.uu

|Uyghur people

|

|

|New Nations

|{{active}}

== New Nations ==

New Nations provides TLDs for nation-states that are not recognized by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard, and therefore haven't received their own ccTLD. Currently they provide .ku (Kurdish people), .te (Tamil Eelam), .ti (Tibet), and .uu (Uyghur people).{{Cite web|url=http://new-nations.net/|title=new-nations|website=new-nations.net|access-date=2017-01-15}}

== FurNIC ==

FurNIC aims to bring a unique identity to Furries, Furry Fandom, and other Anthropomorphic interest websites across the internet. FurNIC and OpenNIC work closely with .fur (Furry fandom) generally being treated as part of OpenNIC for most purposes rather than as a separate peer entity.

== Emercoin ==

On January 15, 2015, domains registered in Emercoin's blockchain became accessible to all users of OpenNIC DNS.{{Cite web|url=http://emercoin.com/2015-01-15-Emercoin_Reaches_Peering_Agreement_with_OpenNIC|title=Emercoin reaches peering agreement with OpenNIC|last=Emercoin|website=emercoin.com|access-date=2017-01-15}} Emercoin DNS supports the domain zones .bazar, .coin, .emc, .lib, .ness and .sky. However, Emercoin DNS records can be registered/maintained within the Emercoin software and not as part of OpenNIC's management system.{{Cite web|url=http://emercoin.com/EMCDNS_and_NVS|title=Emercoin DNS|last=Emercoin|website=emercoin.com|access-date=2017-01-15}}

= Technical zones =

OpenNIC operates some special-use TLDs, which are meant for technical or organizational purposes.

class="wikitable sortable"

!Name

!Intended use

!Restrictions

!Notes

!Status

.opennic.glue

|Provides hostnames for Tier 1 DNS servers and organizational websites and services.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}

|Domains cannot be registered. Domains are granted to each Tier 1 server operator or upon approval of the OpenNIC community.

|Example: "ns2.opennic.glue"

|{{active}}

.dns.opennic.glue

|Provides hostnames for Tier 2 DNS servers on the OpenNIC network.{{Cite web|url=https://servers.opennic.org/|title=OpenNIC Public Servers|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}

|Domains cannot be registered. Domains are automatically created upon the approval of a Tier 2 server.

|Example: "ns1.any.dns.opennic.glue"

|{{active}}

= Suspended peering =

== Namecoin ==

In July 2019, the OpenNIC community voted 13-2 for dropping support for .bit domains due to them "being used as malware hubs" as a result of their "anonymous nature".{{Cite web|title=Should OpenNIC drop support for NameCoin [OpenNIC Wiki]|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/votings/drop_namecoin|access-date=2020-08-31|website=wiki.opennic.org}} A similar proposal was made in December 2018 but it did not reach the voting stage.{{Cite web|last=jbiscaya|date=2019-07-17|title=OpenNIC drops support for .bit domain names after rampant malware abuse|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/opennic-drops-support-for-bit-domain-names-after-rampant-malware-abuse/#ftag=RSSbaffb68|access-date=2020-08-31|website=The GRC Hub|language=en-US}}

Until then, OpenNIC resolved .bit (Namecoin) domains through the use of a centralized server which generated a DNS zone from the Namecoin blockchain.{{Cite web|title=Dot-Bit: Secure Decentralized DNS|url=https://bit.namecoin.org/|access-date=2017-01-15|website=bit.namecoin.org}} Access was provided through a Tier 1 server which bridges the OpenNIC system and Namecoin.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=.bit TLD|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/opennic:dot:bit|access-date=|website=OpenNIC Wiki|publisher=}} Some OpenNIC DNS servers made use of a Spamhaus-maintained blocklist of malicious .bit domains.{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.opennic.org/api/blacklist|title = DNS Blacklisting API [OpenNIC Wiki]}}{{Cite web|url=https://lists.opennicproject.org/sympa/arc/discuss/2017-08/msg00019.html|title=Discuss - Re: [opennic-discuss] letit2 [.] bit blacklist - arc}}{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://api.opennicproject.org/acl/filter/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035135/https://api.opennicproject.org/acl/filter/ | archive-date=2017-12-01}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|2}}