Domain Name Service (DNS)

OARnet provides a fully managed authoritative and recursive Domain Name Service (DNS) utilizing geo-redundant carrier-grade DNS servers. Our engineering team can assist clients with domain name registration, design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

Customers can utilize the OARnet DNS service as any combination of fully managed primary and secondary, redundant load-sharing secondary, blind primary, recursive, or as forwarders for campus resolvers.

Utilizing OARnet DNS service in combination with our Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation service can eliminate the risk of common DNS-based volumetric DDoS events impacting your organization.

Most DNS requests can be completed in one to two business days, depending on complexity.

Client Benefits

• OARnet customers have the flexibility to run their own DNS infrastructure and use OARnet as a backup service

• Customers can have their own DNS infrastructure and offload all internet-based DNS traffic to OARnet

• Multiple secondary configurations can be tailored to meet the needs of the client

• Blind primary configurations prevent DNS amplification attacks from impacting the customer’s network

• IPv4 and IPv6 name resolution are supported, along with native IPv6 transport

• Most DNS requests can be completed in two business days   or less

• Emergency DNS requests can be expedited with engineering staff

OARnet Provides

• Multiple geo-redundant authoritative and recursive servers that are physically independent and configured to meet or exceed IANA technical requirements and current industry best practices

• Consulting for DNS registration process, design, implementation, and troubleshooting

• Primary and secondary services available to meet the client’s technical and staffing requirements

• Offered secondary configurations including blind primary and load balancing

Client Requirements

• Client may provide primary and/or recursive name servers depending on their business needs

Service Cost

• Clients currently subscribing to OARnet’s internet or co-location services can receive DNS service at no additional charge

• Clients not subscribing to OARnet’s internet or co-location services will be assessed a one-time setup fee of $250 and an annual fee of $120.

Need to Modify an Existing Domain?

DNS requests must be submitted by an Administrative, Technical or DNS contact from the OARnet Gateway, and they must be sent in writing. The written request avoids errors that can occur when trying to collect host names or IP addresses over the telephone. Once the Service Desk receives a request, we open a ticket on this issue and assign it for processing. Individual organizations are responsible for updating domain registration records with their registrar.

Please see the OARnet DNS Policy for further information.

Higher Education Clients

EDUCAUSE is the sole registrar for names in the .EDU domain. Requests for new names in the .EDU domain are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from eligible institutions that do not have any other previously registered .EDU domain names. At this time, there are no registration fees associated with valid registrations in the .EDU top-level domain.

Eligibility for registering a domain in the .EDU top-level domain is limited to degree-granting institutions of higher education, including two-year community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. .EDU domains registered before October 29, 2001 are grandfathered into .EDU, regardless of compliance.

Additional Information

OARnet clients are responsible for domain name services provided to their constituents or clients. Additional information regarding domains and registrars may be found at:

• The InterNIC

• The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

• US Domain