VeriSign Announces Key Operational Enhancements
to Root Server Infrastructure
Investment in IPv6, DNSSEC, and Root Zone Update Upgrades Will Enhance
Core Internet Operations
Mountain View, CA – February 11, 2008 – VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:
VRSN), the leading provider of Internet infrastructure services for
the networked world, today announced key operational enhancements to
the root server infrastructure that will help enable growth and innovation
and set the stage for the introduction of additional security features
for Internet operations.
VeriSign operates both the “A” and “J” root servers,
two of the thirteen critically important Domain Name System (DNS) servers
worldwide that enable Internet traffic. DNS translates domain
names entered by Internet users into corresponding numerical IP addresses.
Root servers are important DNS components that redirect requests to
the appropriate top-level domain (TLD) name server.
“The enhancements that VeriSign is making are the
next logical steps in improving the availability, efficiency and reliability
of the core Internet infrastructure,” said Ken Silva, Chief Technical
Officer, VeriSign. “With the continuing explosion of consumer-driven
services, such as Internet-enabled wireless devices and the advanced
applications they utilize, the need to expand, secure and clear the
delivery mechanism for those services is paramount.”
As part of its ongoing infrastructure investments,
VeriSign has worked with the industry on the development of a number
of advanced technologies that help further secure and streamline core
Internet operations. Below is a list of technologies that VeriSign
has either deployed, or has plans to deploy, for its root operations:
- Internet Protocol
Version 6 (IPv6): VeriSign has enabled the “A” and “J” root servers
for IPv6, the next generation Internet protocol, to help Internet users
in an IPv6 environment take full advantage of DNS. This change
dramatically increases the usability of IPv6, which in turns helps ensure
that developing global infrastructures will have sufficient IP address
space to innovate. IPv6 also supports new global applications
that require amounts of IP address space beyond what is currently available
with IPv4. IPv6 expands the IP address length from 32 to 128 bits,
providing nearly unlimited amounts of potential IP addresses to handle
the proliferation of Internet-connected devices today.
- Domain Name System
Security Extensions (DNSSEC): DNSSEC is a set of extensions developed
by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to increase the security
of DNS by authenticating the origin of DNS data and verifying its integrity
while moving across the Internet. DNSSEC can help combat compromised
data in name servers, which could then be used to launch damaging attacks
against users, enterprises and the Internet core itself. As the
publisher of the DNS root zone, VeriSign plans to launch a testbed in
Q2 to help enable the root zone to anchor the global chain of trust
for TLD registry operators who implement DNSSEC within their TLDs and
registrars who provide DNSSEC services for their customers.
- Root Zone Updates:
VeriSign has deployed a new automated root zone provisioning system
for operational testing in coordination with the Internet Assigned Names
Authority (IANA), the entity that oversees global IP address allocation,
DNS root zone management, and other Internet protocol assignments. Upon
the completion of testing by IANA, this system will provide an easier
interface for TLD registry operators to submit changes to update to
the root zone. This new system is expected to increase the overall
efficiency, accuracy and speed of changes by automating currently time-consuming
and cumbersome manual processes.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), operates digital infrastructure
services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day
across the world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information
about the company is available at www.verisign.com.
Trademarks
VeriSign, and other trademarks, service marks, and
logos are registered or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign and its
subsidiaries in the United States and in foreign countries.
Copyright © 2008 VeriSign, Inc. All rights reserved.
For more information, contact:
In India: Megan Jackson, mjackson@verisign.com.au,
+61 413 228 835
VeriSign Media Relations: Rufus Manning, rmanning@verisign.com,
+1 703.948.4126
VeriSign Investor Relations: Nancy Fazioli, mailto:nfazioli@verisign.com,
+1 650.426.5416
Statements in this announcement
other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results
to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others,
the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations
in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the risk that
VeriSign’s announced expansions in capacity, including the expansion
described herein, may not result in additional products, services, customers,
profits or revenues; and increased competition. More information about
potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial
results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2006 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this press release.
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