Directory and Database Services

The implementation of this service should utilize distributed database and other advanced technologies. The NIS manager could coordinate this role with respect to other organizations that have created and maintained relevant directories and databases. AT&T is providing the following services under the NSF agreement.

•  Directory services (white pages):
This provides access to Internet White Pages information using X.500, WHOIS, and netfind systems.
The X.500 directory standard enables the creation of a single worldwide directory of information about various objects of interest—information about people, for example.
The WHOIS lookup service provides unified access to three Internet WHOIS servers for person and organization queries. It searches the InterNIC Directory and Database Services server for non-military domain and non-Point-Of-Contact data. The search for MIL (military) domain data is done via the DISA NIC server, and the POC data is done via the InterNIC Registration Services server.
Netfind is a simple Internet white pages directory search facility. Given the name of a user and a description of where the user works, the tool attempts to locate information about the Internet user.

•  Database services:
This should include databases of communication documents such as Request For Comments (RFCs), For Your Information RFCs (FYI), Internet Drafts (IDs), Meeting Minutes, IETF Steering Committee (IESG) documents, and so on. This service could also contain databases maintained for other groups with a possible fee.
AT&T also offers a database service listing of public databases, which contains information of interest to the Internet community.
Access to database and directory services can be done via the Web at http://ds.internic.net/ds/dspgwp.html.

•  Directory of directories:
This service points to other directories and databases such as those listed previously.
This is an index of pointers to resources, products, and services accessible through the Internet. It includes pointers to resources such as computing centers, network providers, information servers, white and yellow pages directories, library catalogs, and so on.
As part of this service, AT&T stores a listing of information resources, including type, description, how to access the resource, and other attributes. Information providers are given access to update and add to the database. The information can be accessed via different methods such as telnet, ftp, gopher, e-mail, and www.

NIC Support Services

The original solicitation for "Information Services" was granted to General Atomics in 1993 and taken away in February 1995. At that time, Network Solutions, Inc. took over the proposal, and it was renamed NIC Support Services.

The goal of this service is to provide a forum for the research and education community, Network Information Centers (NICs) staff, and the academic Internet community, within which the responsibilities, duties, and functions of the InterNIC may be defined. As of now, this service is divided into two components:

•  Info Scout Service:
NSI subcontracts to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for this service. The scout staff at the university and the NSI NIC support staff work together to serve both end-users and NICs in the higher-education community.

•  NIC Support Service at NSI:
The definition of NICs refers to individuals or organizations within the research and education community who provide a wide range of support for people within their client base who use the Internet.
The focus of NSI is to provide an outreach program to the NIC community, soliciting input from the community on a regular basis and acting on the input by implementing new InterNIC services in support of NICs.

Other Internet Registries

Other Internet Registries (IR) were created outside the U.S.; these registries perform functions similar to those performed by the InterNIC in the U.S.

RIPE NCC (Reséaux IP Européens Network Coordination Center)

Created in 1989, RIPE[5] is a collaborative organization that consists of European Internet service providers. It aims to provide the necessary administration and coordination to enable the operation of the European Internet.

APNIC (Asia Pacific Network Information Center)

APNIC [6] is the IR for the Asia Pacific rim. It provides the IP registration and domain name services for that region. Created in 1993, APNIC started as a 10-month pilot project with the goal of providing Internet Registry functions and Routing Register functions (the RR function has not materialized to date). The pilot proved to be successful, and the APNIC is now in full operation serving as an IR.

Other Internet Registers are listed on the InternetNIC[4] home page.