********************************************************************** DDN MGT Bulletin 32 DCA DDN Defense Communications System 22 Jan 87 Published by: DDN Network Info Center (NIC@SRI-NIC.ARPA) (800) 235-3155 DEFENSE DATA NETWORK MANAGEMENT BULLETIN The DDN MANAGEMENT BULLETIN is distributed online by the DDN Network Information Center under DCA contract as a means of communicating official policy, procedures and other information of concern to management personnel at DDN facilities. Back issues may be read through the TACNEWS server ("@n" command at the TAC) or may be obtained by FTP (or Kermit) from the SRI-NIC host [26.0.0.73 or 10.0.0.51] using login="anonymous" and password="guest". The pathname for bulletins is DDN-NEWS:DDN-MGT-BULLETIN-nn.TXT (where "nn" is the bulletin number). ********************************************************************** PHASE 1 OF THE DOMAIN NAME IMPLEMENTATION The DDN Network Information Center (NIC) is directed to remove all nondomain-style host names and nicknames from the Official DoD Host Table, NETINFO:HOSTS.TXT, by 31 March 1987. After that time, names which do not conform to domain-style naming conventions, i.e. do not have ".domain" extensions, will not be allowed in either the Official DoD Host Table or the domain name servers. Nicknames, or aliases, will not be permitted in either the servers or the Official Host Table unless authorized. Network mailers are required to use primary host names and to accept host names containing dots (.), as specified in the DDN mail protocols RFC 821 (MILSTD-1781) and RFC 822. If mailers are not now adhering to these protocol requirements, they may experience mail delivery problems when the nondomain-style names are discontinued. Users sending electronic mail should use primary host names in all mail destinations and sources. If nicknames are used, problems may arise in mail delivery. The NIC will notify Host Administrators as to which names or nicknames do not now conform. Host Administrators may change nonconforming data by the usual procedure via Network Change Requests (NCRs) and Network Change Directives (NCDs), if they wish, before the 31 March 1987 deadline. Host Administrators anticipating problems with this plan should notify DCA Code B652 (DCAB652@DDN1.ARPA), or via AUTODIN message, and the NIC Hostmaster (HOSTMASTER@SRI-NIC.ARPA) no later than 2 weeks prior to the scheduled cutover. In March of 1984, the DDN began the transition to domain-style names with the issuance of DDN Management Bulletin 22. In that bulletin, all hosts were required to change their primary host names to contain ".domain" extensions in accordance with RFC 897. At the same time, all of the old-style names (without the ".domain" extensions) were automatically declared to be nicknames in the Official Host Table, NETINFO:HOSTS.TXT. This use of old-style nicknames was allowed on an interim basis to make the transition to domain-style naming easier. Almost three years have passed, and this transition period must now come to a close. The transition to naming domains has progressed to the point where there are many domain name servers implemented and running. In order to maintain interoperability between hosts on the DDN using the host table and hosts using the domain name servers, all hosts must be able to recognize domain-style names. It is imperative that all transition names and nicknames be upgraded to domain-style names or be removed from NETINFO:HOSTS.TXT so that naming is consistent and so that all use of names adheres to the specification for domain names adopted in 1984.