[afnog] F-Root Server goes live in Nairobi

[Joe Abley]

On 5-Oct-2005, at 15:09, Adiel A. Akplogan wrote:

>>> Congrats to Michuki and team for this wonderful step!
>>>
>>> Who is next?
>>
>> There are several root server operators actively deploying anycast
>> instances (e.g. F, I, K).
>>
>> If anybody would like more information about F, or would like an
>> introduction to someone at Autonomica (I) or RIPE (K) to talk about
>> hosting one of their servers, feel free to drop me a private note and
>> I will do what I can to help.
>
> It may also be useful if you share the requirement with people on this
> list ... you never know. Is RFC2870(BCP0040) tells everything people
> need to know??

I don't know exactly what Autonomica or RIPE do, but I'm very sure  
they would be happy to talk to people who are ionterested (and I see  
Martin has already mentioned A and J, and the net/com name servers).

For ISC/F, the process goes something like this.

1. The potential host sends some mail to someone at ISC letting them  
know that they are interested, and describing the region that would  
be served by the new root server node (e.g., for Nairobi, "peers at  
the KIXP").

2. ISC sends a general description of the hosting requirements with  
respect to equipment, colocation, power, etc.

3. If the potential host wants to proceed further, they exchange a  
non-disclosure agreement with ISC so that the specifics can be  
figured out privately.

4. Assuming everything goes well, someone from ISC flies out to  
install the root server and to take flul advantage of the local beer  
(e.g., for Nairobi, Tusker Malt).

5. Press releases, general acclaim in the AfNOG list, etc. :-)

The precise details for each node (e.g. who provides what equipment,  
what equipment is required, what contribution the host can make  
towards ISC's installation and ongoing management costs for the node,  
etc) all depend on what is appropriate for the host's local traffic  
levels and economy: for example, what makes sense for a busy exchange  
point in Western Europe may be very different from what makes sense  
at a small, new exchange point in Africa.

The detailed arrangements that are made for individual hosts are not  
public, and are covered by the NDA (3, above).


Joe