[RFCI-Discuss] TLD wildcards

[Alex van den Bogaerdt]

On Sat, Nov 18, 2006 at 07:54:54PM +0100, Frank Ellermann wrote:

> Here's a wildcard list generated by a quick and dirty script:

These return zero answers for 'A', and two for 'NS':

> TLD ac     apparently uses a wildcard nameservices.net
> TLD io     apparently uses a wildcard nameservices.net
> TLD sh     apparently uses a wildcard nameservices.net
> TLD tm     apparently uses a wildcard nameservices.net

I guess they can use this to log typos and such, but at least
the user is not directed to an unrelated webpage.

Perhaps there are benefits for users as well, although I cannot
think of any right now.


These do return an A record (or more):

> TLD museum apparently uses a wildcard index.museum
> TLD nu     apparently uses a wildcard webrouter0.telia.nic.nu
> TLD st     apparently uses a wildcard mailgw.nic.st
> TLD ws     apparently uses a wildcard mailrelay.33.website.ws
> TLD ph     apparently uses a wildcard unreg.emc.com.ph
> TLD pw     apparently uses a wildcard pwregistry.pw
> TLD tk     apparently uses a wildcard HOSTED-BY.DOT.TK
> TLD cm     apparently uses a wildcard vcr-ha-cluster.agoga.com

> TLD vg     apparently uses a wildcard IP 64.74.134.64
> TLD cg     apparently uses a wildcard IP 64.22.91.27
> TLD rw     apparently uses a wildcard IP 64.22.91.27

*.vg. CNAME->pjn.qsrch.net.->64.74.134.64
*.cg. CNAME->wild.nic.cg.->64.22.91.27
*.rw. CNAME->wild.nic.rw.->64.22.91.27

> In the sitefinder-verisign case ICANN and IAB found some 
> formula why this practice is wrong.  Maybe it's up to the
> communities in the ccTLDs to redelegate their ccTLD to a
> trustworthy entity.  What could / should RFCI do about it ?

Is there an RFC that says wildcards should not be used by
domain registries?  I do recall reading something about
'only after careful consideration' but if they (registry)
value their money more than our welfare, they have considered...

If you have looked this up and found something different,
please do tell.

I don't think .ws will, and .museum should, consider to redelegate.

Alex