[ga-roots] A "Unique" Authoritative.....record classes ?

[Stefan Probst <stefan.probst@opticom.v-nam.net>]

Dear All,

the discussion paper contains a paragraph, which went by rather undiscussed:

>Moreover, it should be noted that the original design of the DNS provides 
>a facility for future extensions that accommodates the possibility of 
>safely deploying multiple roots on the public Internet for experimental 
>and other purposes. As noted in RFC 1034, the DNS includes a "class" tag 
>on each resource record, which allows resource records of different 
>classes to be distinguished even though they are commingled on the public 
>Internet. For resource records within the standard root-server system, 
>this class tag is set to "IN"; other values have been standardized for 
>particular uses, including 255 possible values designated for "private 
>use" that are particularly suited to experimentation.
>As described in a recent proposal within the IETF, this "class" facility 
>allows an alternative DNS namespace to be operated from different root 
>servers in a manner that does not interfere with the stable operation of 
>the existing authoritative root-server system. Those that have deployed 
>alternative roots have not used a different class designation, however, 
>choosing instead to have their resource records masquerade as emanating 
>from the standard root, and creating the potential for disruption of 
>other's operations.

I have some understanding of DNS, but not enough about the function of this 
class tag.

How would this look from a user's point of view?
Can a user choose, which class to use? Could an applet re-map from class 
"IN" to another class (similarly like now other root servers are used for 
alt.roots)?

Stefan

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