Root server list

[Andrey G. Sergeev (AKA Andris)]

Hello Scott,


Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:07:08 -0700 Scott Baker wrote:

> If I run dig without any options it outputs a list of root servers:
> 
> ;; ANSWER SECTION:
> .                       482765  IN      NS      K.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      E.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      L.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      M.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      J.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      H.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      I.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      F.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      G.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      B.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      A.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      C.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> .                       482765  IN      NS      D.ROOT-SERVERS.NET.
> 
> Where does that information come from?

This data come from the server's cache which is initialized at the 
server startup using the named.root file (the hints). This file acts as 
a source of the names and IP addresses of the name servers holding the 
copy of "." (the root zone).

> Have the IPs of the root servers ever had to change?

Yes, sometimes - that's why you should update your hints file periodically.


-- 

Yours sincerely,

Andrey G. Sergeev (AKA Andris)     http://www.andris.name/