TLD Application - moderntld/www.modernnic.net GitHub Wiki

This guide entails the steps (chronologically) you'll need to follow to become a TLD operator like ModernTLD on ModernNIC. The TLD Application process is rather lengthy, and only relatively experienced DNS operators should operate a TLD. If you're just getting started with alt-roots, consider running a Tier 2 server to get a feel for the server and administrative requirements.

Prerequisites

  • Must be active in the ModernNIC community for at least 3 months.
  • Must be a “Verified Member” on our chat server, or active on the Mailing List for at least 3 months.
  • Must have operated a Tier 2 server for ModernNIC for at least 3 months, or a Tier 2 server at OpenNIC for at least 6 months.
  • Must commit to funding and running their TLD indefinitely* (see below)

All TLD applications should first be discussed with any or all of the current TLD operators. They then proceed to a Proposals stage.

In an absolute worst case scenario where you need to cease TLD operations, you must be able to find a substitute to take control of your namespace(s)

Proposing your TLD

*Main article: Proposals

Proposals should be well written and detailed. The goals should be clear and concise, and must include details of exactly what will happen if your application is approved.

TLD applications additionally must include a charter (detailed below).

Charter

All TLD applications must include a “charter” detailing their exact policies. At a minimum, it must include the following information.

  • Registration details: How domains will be granted (first-come, first-serve; etc.), how much domains will cost to register (“free” recommended, to not run into problems. You can always offer added services for additional fees.), how long domains will be registered before a renewal will be required, etc.
  • Abuse policies (what are grounds for a domain to be terminated?)
  • Reserved Domains

An example of a TLD charter includes the ".o" Charter by ModernTLD. Keep in mind it was written with OpenNIC in mind, but is still applicable.

Discussion

After you submit a proposal and charter to the Mailing List, your application will be open to discussion for the next 7 days. Community members might have helpful advice or suggestions to help improve your proposal. You don't necessarily have to change anything, but keeping an open mind is a good idea to help your proposal gain acceptance.

Voting

The TLD Proposal voting period will last 14 days, and passes with a 2/3rds supermajority of the votes cast in your favor.

Proposals that failed can be restarted after the voting period ends (it will have to go back to the Proposals stage for further discussion). If your TLD application failed, you should discuss your application with a current TLD Operator before restarting your application.

Proposals that are approved, will be subject to the Peering stage detailed below before going into effect.

Peering

TLD proposals will have to go through a peering process with the alternative roots we peer with (OpenNIC, currently), to ensure they will peer your TLDs both ways. Currently this is handled by Jonah Aragon (of ModernTLD; the operator of ns11.opennic.glue) soon after the application is approved here, no intervention on your part will likely be required. Assuming they accept the TLD and relevant policies in the peering agreement, the TLD can go live immediately.

If an alternative root in a peering agreement with us denies acceptance, we will have a private discussion with the applicants regarding concerns they may have. TLD applications cannot be accepted at this time if they wouldn’t fall under our 100% peering policy.

Eventually we plan on bringing peering discussion to the Global Alt-Root Federation, a currently in-development organization that will handle such peering automatically.

What next?

Please refer to the TLD Operators page for further technical details.