Dear Readers,

Special Article 1 covers the current situation regarding deliberations on a new governance model for the DNS Root Server System (RSS), which would be an epoch-making change in the history of the Internet.

RSS is a system of DNS servers that manage the "root zone", which is the starting point of the tree structure of the domain name space. This is an important part of the Internet infrastructure that receives DNS queries from all over the world. Thirteen RSSs are operated on a voluntary basis by twelve root server operating organizations (RSO). Each RSOs operates its route servers on its own and has never received funds from outside. These RSOs have been maintaining the core of the Internet infrastructure through their own sincerity and expertise. Consequently, they are highly trusted in the Internet community.

With the expansion of the Internet, the cost of maintaining the RSS has gradually increased. In order to continue to operate this very important service while responding to the expectations from the entire Internet community, a certain mechanism was thought to be required to enhance accountability, transparency, solid supervision and scalability.

In response to that situation, in 2015, ICANN began considering a new governance model for the RSS. Special Article 1 will inform you about the status of these deliberations.

The long-awaited event is here!!! In Special Article 2, we feature "Internet Week 2019". This year's theme is "Metabolism". What does this theme mean?

"Cutting-edge technologies should supersede obsolete technologies while firmly maintaining the core technological foundation. I believe that one of the reasons the Internet has developed into what it is today, is that the old and new technologies have coexisted in a good balance and have continued to transform and grow gradually to realize a generational shift", says Mr. Hiroshi Takada, JPNIC Trustee and Internet Week 2019 Program Committee Chair. "The Internet", has been evolving for many years and brings to mind the word "Metabolism". You can see that there are some conceptual similarities, so "Metabolism" was chosen as this year's theme. We would like to join you all in promoting a healthy metabolism for the future of the Internet.

In this installment of the "Prologue to the Internet": its Technologies and Services, "Dr. Netson" and the JP29-type-robot "Nic-kun" of the Internet research institute explain "the development of web browsers". Although Google Chrome seems to currently hold top share, what is your web browser? Let's see how the web browser has evolved up to the present.

"Introducing JPNIC members" focuses on a particular JPNIC member engaged in interesting activities. This time around, we focus on "its communications Inc.", headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo. The company is well-known for its CATV / Internet connection services under the "iTSCOM" brand, and is a member of the Tokyu Group which develops four areas of business: "Transport", "Real Estate", "Life Services" and "Hotels and Resorts". As such, the company is developing a wide variety of services using optical fiber laid along the group’s railways. What impressed us during the interview, was their strong drive to find ways to enhance the value of their network, in order to enrich their client's residential atmosphere and lives, rather than simply being a community-based CATV operator.

"The Internet loves you" is a corner that introduces someone who is active in the Internet industry. This time, we introduce Ms. Yuri Tsutsumi of INTERNET MULTIFEED CO. After graduating college, she joined NTT Communications Corporation to realize her dream to be involved in the Internet, which has an open and collaborative culture. She now works for INTERNET MULTIFEED CO. as a network engineer. She says she wants to support the Internet because she has received benefits from it in various situations. She is also actively involved in development programs for younger generations and technical community activities.

In our "10 Minute Internet Course", we highlight Data Center Interconnect (DCI). In order for modern data centers to meet demands for reliability, it is necessary to use multiple data centers in parallel, requiring "regional design" for multiple data centers based on multiple locations. In regional design, the scope of the data center network design extends beyond the buildings themselves. Mr. Dai Nishino of BroadBand Tower, Inc. explains the overall scheme and details of DCI.

In addition, you'll also find "Internet Topics", "JPNIC Activity Reports", "Statistics" etc., for the past several months.

If you have any comments or feedback, please feel free to contact us at jpnic-news＠nic.ad.jp. Your comments are greatly appreciated!!