SRS Implementation Team Report 01/03/02
Report Adopted by the Council Meeting of 01 March 2002
Update
SRS Development
An early draft of the technical architecture has been received. This has been based on a number of assumptions that will be confirmed in the next few weeks (eg. performance and availability criteria).
Two formal reviews of the technical architecture will be done:
- Knossos Networks has been engaged to do a technical review of the technical architecture and they have commenced discussions with Catalyst; and
- Optimation will review the security architecture.
Prior to the Optimation review, a security policy for the registry is being drafted to provide the business criteria against which the security architecture must deliver. This will mainly focus on system issues but will also cover issues such as document and building security. In the absence of a written security policy for the current registry, the requirements are being derived from what has been specified for other registries (eg. .biz and .info) and what is considered good practice at Domainz. This will provide the basis for a working document that can be used by both Catalyst and Optimation, and also form the basis for discussions with potential registrars at some stage.
The time estimate for the technical architecture phase was 16 chargeable days. There has been a two day overrun which is being discussed.
Planning for the prototype phase is now underway. This will require the loan of some work stations from Domainz that are surplus to their requirements, plus the purchase of two higher specification work stations. These purchases can be used later for registry work stations or as a development or test system.
Domainz has issued their RFI for registrar accounting software. Their timeframe for this process and other system upgrades remains compatible with the SRS schedule. There is close contact between all the technical teams to ensure the respective projects remain aligned.
Project QA
Ad van der Tol met with the IOC prior to the last Council meeting and will have his first report for them before the March meeting. His focus has been on reviewing the project structure, documentation and communication, as well as the RFI and RFP processes.
Domain Name Commissioner
This position has been advertised and there has been strong interest in it. The recruitment process is on track for interviews during the week of 18 March.
I have prepared an outline of the activities of the Office of the DNC, and this has been circulated to the InternetNZ staff for comment. I will now proceed to draft the role descriptions for the support positions.
SRS Funding
It is imperative that the issue of funding for the remainder of the development and the registry establishment is progressed quickly. Cashflow forecasts are being prepared so that we can determine the phasing of the funding.
Registry Establishment
A separate paper has been prepared for the Council on the registry incorporation. However until funding is in place, there can be little progress on the substantive issues.
The role description for the registry manager has been drafted and I will send this to the Domainz CEO for comment. I would like to start recruitment for this position as soon as possible.
Project Structure
A paper on the project structure has been prepared for the Council, as requested at the last meeting. This is essentially an extract from the Project Plan.
Project Communications
A draft communications strategy has been prepared and this is with Domainz for discussion. It is imperative that there is a joint strategy and plan, particularly in communications with providers and registrants. The need for this was highlighted again today with a query from a provider on the SRS project implementation following discussions with Domainz.
An update for providers is being prepared and will be sent out in the first week of March. A range of initiatives is outlined in the draft strategy.
