Etisalat installs Middle East's first Root Name Server

Previously queries took an average 214ms (mille-seconds) round trip and were answered in New York, USA; now the queries will take an average 3ms and will be answered locally in UAE. This reduction in DNS inquiry response time, would have an overall performance improved in accessing world wide web sites.

To be installed by the Internet Software Consortium (ISC), the server will store a series of web addresses for identifying and distributing top level Internet domain names, for example '.net', '.com', '.sa' or '.uk'. This enables it to find sites fast by first finding the relevant domain server, then working its way down to the lowest level through a succession of servers. It will mirror the F-root server, one of 13 Root Name Servers around the world that control and organize accessibility to the world's web sites

"Root Name Servers control and organize accessibility to the world's web sites by referring users to relevant generic and country specific authoritative servers that store the web sites they are trying to access," commented Abdulla Hashim, Manager, UAEnic. "The installation of the mirror Root Name Server will ensure users will access web addresses faster and enhance the performance and accessibility of the web servers and mail servers.

Joao Damas, ISC Senior Programme Manager, added, "We are excited to bring the F-root server to the Middle East and be able to dramatically enhance the Internet performance for the region. This server is one more step in our goal to strengthen the root name server network by providing it with more points to deflect malicious attacks on the foundation of the Internet."

Any other country or Internet service provider that uses Etisalat's international Internet infrastructure to connect to the global Internet via the UAE's Network Access Point (NAP), operated by Etisalat's Unit EMIX, will be able to benefit from the installation. Customers including Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Sudan and Pakistan will experience faster access to sites and more reliable connection to the Internet; as the mirror of root name server is physically collocated in the EMIX Backbone as part of its infrastructure.

Other Root Name Servers are located at key Internet hubs around the globe. Ten are located in the United States, whilst Japan, the UK and Sweden each have one. Previously, the region's Internet users had to access these Root Name Servers overseas in order to access the addresses of registered domains. With the recent local installation of the mirror site this will be done locally, improving access time and accessibility.

The need for a Root Name Server is often not readily apparent to the average user as it operates on the backbone of the Internet and is not visible. By being the first in the Middle East to install and operate a Mirror Root Name Server, Etisalat and UAEnic is aiming to further position the UAE as the Internet hub for the region.

"The main advantage of installing the server is robustness and reliability," added Hashim. "This enables us to put the country on the global cyber map and raise our profile as an advanced Internet enabled country."