RFC 2606
Reserved Top Level DNS Names
Network Working Group D. Eastlake Request for Comments: 2606 A. Panitz BCP: 32 June 1999 Category: Best Current Practice Reserved Top Level DNS Names Status of this Memo This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Copyright Notice Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.Abstract
To reduce the likelihood of conflict and confusion, a few top level domain names are reserved for use in private testing, as examples in documentation, and the like. In addition, a few second level domain names reserved for use as examples are documented.Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................1 2. TLDs for Testing, & Documentation Examples..............2 3. Reserved Example Second Level Domain Names..............2 4. IANA Considerations.....................................3 5. Security Considerations.................................3 References.................................................3 Authors' Addresses.........................................4 Full Copyright Statement...................................51. Introduction
The global Internet Domain Name System is documented in [RFC 1034, 1035, 1591] and numerous additional Requests for Comment. It defines a tree of names starting with root, ".", immediately below which are top level domain names such as ".com" and ".us". Below top level domain names there are normally additional levels of names.
2. TLDs for Testing, & Documentation Examples
There is a need for top level domain (TLD) names that can be used for creating names which, without fear of conflicts with current or future actual TLD names in the global DNS, can be used for private testing of existing DNS related code, examples in documentation, DNS related experimentation, invalid DNS names, or other similar uses. For example, without guidance, a site might set up some local additional unused top level domains for testing of its local DNS code and configuration. Later, these TLDs might come into actual use on the global Internet. As a result, local attempts to reference the real data in these zones could be thwarted by the local test versions. Or test or example code might be written that accesses a TLD that is in use with the thought that the test code would only be run in a restricted testbed net or the example never actually run. Later, the test code could escape from the testbed or the example be actually coded and run on the Internet. Depending on the nature of the test or example, it might be best for it to be referencing a TLD permanently reserved for such purposes. To safely satisfy these needs, four domain names are reserved as listed and described below. .test .example .invalid .localhost ".test" is recommended for use in testing of current or new DNS related code. ".example" is recommended for use in documentation or as examples. ".invalid" is intended for use in online construction of domain names that are sure to be invalid and which it is obvious at a glance are invalid. The ".localhost" TLD has traditionally been statically defined in host DNS implementations as having an A record pointing to the loop back IP address and is reserved for such use. Any other use would conflict with widely deployed code which assumes this use.3. Reserved Example Second Level Domain Names
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) also currently has the following second level domain names reserved which can be used as examples.
example.com
example.net
example.org
4. IANA Considerations
IANA has agreed to the four top level domain name reservations
specified in this document and will reserve them for the uses
indicated.
5. Security Considerations
Confusion and conflict can be caused by the use of a current or
future top level domain name in experimentation or testing, as an
example in documentation, to indicate invalid names, or as a synonym
for the loop back address. Test and experimental software can escape
and end up being run against the global operational DNS. Even
examples used "only" in documentation can end up being coded and
released or cause conflicts due to later real use and the possible
acquisition of intellectual property rights in such "example" names.
The reservation of several top level domain names for these purposes
will minimize such confusion and conflict.
References
[RFC 1034] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - concepts and facilities",
STD 13, RFC 1034, November 1987.
[RFC 1035] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - implementation and
specification", STD 13, RFC 1035, November 1987.
[RFC 1591] Postel, J., "Domain Name System Structure and Delegation",
RFC 1591, March 1994.
Authors' Addresses
Donald E. Eastlake 3rd IBM 65 Shindegan Hill Road, RR #1 Carmel, NY 10512 Phone: +1 914-276-1668(h) +1 914-784-7913(w) FAX: +1 914-784-3833(3) EMail: dee3@us.ibm.com Aliza R. Panitz 500 Stamford Dr. No. 310 Newark, DE 19711 USA Phone: +1 302-738-1554 EMail: buglady@fuschia.net
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