Re: Definition of Registry

[Annie Renard <Annie.Renard@nic.fr>]

 In your previous mail you wrote:

	 On 5 Jan 01, at 10:05, Peter Mott wrote:
	 
	 > > Who is responsible for the content if the Registry is not? Will each
	 > > Registrar instead be responsible for his part of the database?
	 > >
	 > > What then if a customer moves from one Registrar to another?
	 > 
	 > Answer: The registry record is then maintained by the new registrar.
	 > 
	 > The role of database integrity belongs to the registry.
	 > The role of content management belongs to the registar.
	 
	 Hmm... I would think that the record belongs to the user
	 (the owner of the record, registered entity, registrant?). 
	 Let's do this one right(?).

I fully agree, only the registrant hold the record, not the registrar

	 She can delegate access to the registrar she chooses. 
	 Thus, when she changes registrar she can revoke delegation 
	 to the previous registrar and delegate access to the new registrar.
	 (Perhaps through some kind of ticket, certificate, or 
	 what have you. We can hash technical details latter on.)
	 This way, transfer access from one registrar to another
	 is clean.
	 Othwerwise, registrar who registered her record may deny
	 transfer to another (usually competing) registrar.
	 Then, the user/registred entity is stuck.
	 
	 But all of this means that access to the database must 
	 go through a registrar. ie. user cannot modify her own record.
	 Is this a good thing? Is this common practice?
	 I don't know.

it's the practice for the .fr registry
update of the database are requested by the registrant, through the registrar.
Then, only the registry can perform this update.

	 Or maybe in certain implementation, a user can be considered
	 a registrar?
	 Come to think of it, by adding the user in the equation
	 it is more complex :-(
	 
	 Inconsitencies (spell?) of the content is the responsibility
	 of the user (registered entity/registrant).
	 The registry is "responsible" for database integrity.

	 Although, we should define what is "responsible".
	 If I were (currnetly am) a registry, then I don't want
	 to get sued. But I do make sure that integrity is one
	 of the top priorities.
	 
right	 

	 So, what's the role a registrar? Beats me ;-)
	 Interface between registered entity (user) and registry?
	 
registrar is a provider of added value (services) for the user connectivity.
it's interface between the registrant and the registry only for the
domain names management.
In France, registry is a monopoly model (public service, not registrar itself),
registrars are in the competitive sector.

	 > In some applications, the two roles are administered by the same entity.
	 > Thats a monopoly model.  OK for a closed/restricted namespace like .mil but
	 > not useful for open gTLD's.
	 
	 Some ccTLDs operate like this. Ours (.ID) is an example.
	 Although, we plan to change it into an open model by the
	 end of 2002. I would think many will stay like this
	 for a longer period of time.

Best regards,

---
        Annie Renard    [nic@nic.fr]
        AFNIC/NIC France
	c/o INRIA domaine de Voluceau BP105, 78153 Le Chesnay CEDEX, France
	http://www.nic.fr/
	Personal Email: Annie.Renard@nic.fr