.net

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net
Introduced 1985
TLD type Generic top-level domain
Status Active
Registry VeriSign
Sponsor None
Intended use Network infrastructure
Actual use ISPs; miscellaneous sites; used sometimes when desired name is not available in .com
Registration restrictions None
Structure Registrations at second level permitted
Documents RFC 1591; ICANN registry agreement
Dispute policies UDRP
Website VeriSign COM NET Registry

net (network) is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) used on the Internet's Domain Name System. The net gTLD is currently operated by VeriSign. Registrations are processed via accredited registrars and internationalized domain names are also accepted (see details).

net is one of the original top-level domains[1] (the other five being com, edu, gov, mil, and org) despite not being mentioned in RFC 920, having been created in January 1985. It was initially intended to be used only for network providers (such as Internet service providers). However, there are no formal restrictions on who can register a net domain name. Therefore, while still popular with network operators, it is often treated as a second com. It is currently the fourth most popular top-level domain, after com, cn, and de.[2]

VeriSign, the operator of net after acquiring Network Solutions, held an operations contract that expired on June 30, 2005. ICANN, the organization responsible for domain management, sought proposals from organizations to operate the domain upon expiration of the contract. VeriSign regained the contract bid, and secured its control over the net registry for another six years.

[edit] Naming exploits

In addition to being an abbreviation for "network", "net" is also a romanisation of the Russian word нет ("no" or "not", also commonly romanised as the more authentically pronounced "nyet"), and a domain name like "object.net" can be interpreted as "there is no object". Some domains exploit this fun, for example mozga.net (brain absent).

[edit] References

  1. ^ RFC 920, Domain Requirements, J. Postel, J. Reynolds, The Internet Society (October 1984)
  2. ^ The Domain Industry Brief

[edit] External links

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