.net

This article is about the top-level domain. For the Microsoft technology, see .NET Framework. For other uses, see .net (disambiguation).

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
Dispute policies	UDRP
Website	VeriSign NET Registry
DNSSEC	yes

The domain name net is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from network, indicating its originally intended purpose for organizations involved in networking technologies, such as Internet service providers and other infrastructure companies. However, restrictions were never enforced and the domain is now a general purpose name space. It is still popular with network operators, and is often treated as an alternate to com.

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. As of 2011, it is the third most popular top-level domain, after .com 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. On June 30, 2011, the contract with VeriSign was automatically renewed for another six years. This is because of a resolution approved by the ICANN board, which states that renewal will be automatic as long as VeriSign meets certain ICANN requirements.^[3]

Registrations are processed via accredited registrars and internationalized domain names are also accepted.^[4]

References

1. ^ RFC 920, Domain Requirements, J. Postel, J. Reynolds, The Internet Society (October 1984)
2. ^ "The Domain Name Industry Brief". http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/why-verisign/research-trends/domain-name-industry-brief/index.xhtml. 
3. ^ ".net Contract Renewed". http://www.thedomains.com/2011/06/23/icann-approves-the-renewal-of-net-contract-with-verisign. 
4. ^ How Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) Work, verisigninc.com

External links

• IANA root-zone whois information for net
• List of net accredited registrars