The Open Root Server Network just announced that Paul Vixie has joined their project.  It provides an alternative to the ICANN/DoC/Verisign root server system. Unlike altenative roots like New.net and others, the OSRN will not add new DNS hierarchies to its root. It will closely follow the ICANN-approved TLDs.

The ORSN operators describe their goals as follows: Until now, the administration is done by the USA and/or the ICANN. Therefor, a large number of root-servers is located in America. A loss or the modification of the root-server information could result in serious consequences for all other countries concerning their internet use. It is for example possible to stop a whole country from using the internet. In practice, this scenario didn’t happen so far but it can’t be excluded either.

Paul Vixie, who is the main designer of the Bind DNS server and  the author of numerous RFCs, is a well repected figure in the DNS community. His support to the ORSN community will certainly help to boost the project and launch the debate on the current root zone file issue within the ICANN community. Paul explains his choice here.