ISC, KENIC, and Kenya Internet Exchange Point Install First Root Name Server in Nairobi, Kenya

Redwood City, CA - Internet Systems Consortium (ISC), Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) and Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) have installed a new F-root name server in Nairobi, Kenya. This server is the first root-server to be installed in Kenya. The new server was deployed at the KIXP located in Nairobi.

Joao Damas, F-root Programme Manager stated that "ISC is extremely happy to be working with KENIC and the KIXP in bringing mission-critical Internet services to the East African Internet community. The F-root name server will enhance the growing Kenyan Internet community's resilience and technical independence from external resources and contribute to the global network."

Virtually every Internet transaction, from sending an email to finding a website, begins with a Domain Name System (DNS) query. A DNS query is the method computers use to translate a human readable name such as www.isc.org to a network address that a computer can find. The Root servers answer the question of where several hundred top-level domains including "COM", "ORG", "NET", or "KE" can be found

Victor Kyalo, Chairman of KENIC, added "This indeed marks a milestone for the Kenyan Internet. With the presence of .KE primary name servers and now the F- Root name server Kenya has attained Internet self reliance and gone a step further in keeping local traffic local. During our initial testing the Kenyan Internet community realized F-root response times reduced to 5ms from 700ms prior to the installation. We wish to thank the local Internet community with special thanks to Wananchi Online and Access Kenya for their support in ensuring the success of this project."

Since 2003 ISC has deployed 33 new F-root name server sites around the globe enhancing Internet response times in key regions and reducing the vulnerability of the Internet Root name server system to malicious attacks. ISC has plans to deploy 5 new F-root name servers during 2005 with a focus on developing nations and South America. Nairobi is the 3rd location deployed this year.

About ISC

Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), public benefit corporation with a long history of developing and maintaining the production quality BIND and DHCP Open Source software. ISC has increased its focus to include enhancing the stability of the global DNS directly through reliable F-root name server operations and ongoing operation of a DNS crisis coordination center, ISC's OARC for DNS. ISC is also engaged in further protocol development efforts, particularly in the areas of DNS evolution and facilitating the transition to IPv6. ISC is supported by the donations of generous sponsors, program membership fees and specific fees for services. For program or donation information, please visit our website at http://www.isc.org.

About KENIC

The Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) is a non-profit organization responsible for the management of the dot KE country code top level domain (ccTLD). Since the establishment of .KE there has been significant growth realized in the .KE name space having automated the domain registration services. KENIC is also involved in the development and promotion of ICTs in Kenya and the African region.

For more information, please visit the KENIC website at http://www.kenic.or.ke

About KIXP

The Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) is a non-profit entity that is managed and operated by the Kenyan ISP Association TESPOK. The KIXP commenced operations in 2002 providing a neutral facility where Internet Service providers can exchange their local Internet traffic locally. Keeping local traffic local improves the quality of service for locally hosted content and further reduces the overall cost of Internet. The KIXP currently carries over 6 megabits per second of local traffic at peak times. For more information, please visit the KIXP website at http://www.kixp.net

Contacts:

Media Contact: Laura Hendriksen, 650-423-1309, laura_hendriksen@isc.org
Technical Contact: Joao Damas, joao_damas@isc.org
Victor Kyalo, Chairman, KENIC
Michuki Mwangi, Administrative Manager, KENIC admin@kenic.or.ke