OpenNIC


OpenNIC is a user-owned and -controlled top-level Network Information Center that offers a non-national alternative to traditional Top-Level Domain registries such as ICANN. As of January 2017, OpenNIC recognizes and peers all existing ICANN TLDs, for compatibility reasons. However, OpenNIC has not yet evaluated and does not hold a formal position on future ICANN TLDs.
In addition to resolving hostnames in the ICANN root, OpenNIC also resolves hostnames in OpenNIC-operated namespaces, as well as within namespaces with which peering agreements have been established. Some OpenNIC recursive servers are known for their high speeds and low latency, relative to other more widely used DNS recursors, as well as their anonymizing or no-logging policies. Many servers offer DNSCrypt. Tier 2 servers are operated by community volunteers across a multitude of geographic locations.
Like all alternative root DNS systems, OpenNIC-hosted domains are unreachable to the vast majority of Internet users, because they require a non-default configuration in one's DNS resolver.

History

On June 1, 2000, an article was posted on kuro5hin.org advocating a democratically governed domain name system. The first OpenNIC servers went into operation July of that year.

OpenNIC TLDs

OpenNIC namespaces

These TLDs are currently served by OpenNIC and were constructed with the approval of the OpenNIC community.
NameIntended useDate introducedRestrictionsNotesStatus
.bbsBulletin Board System servers, and related BBS websites and services.2000-12-29Domain must provide BBS type services.
.chanA Top Level Domain "for imageboards and communities related to imageboard culture."2015-10-21
.cybCyberpunk-related content.2017-08-14
.dynDynamic DNS pointers.2014-05-30Only A, AAAA, RP and TXT records can be modified.Unused domains are removed after 28 days.
.epicGeneral purpose domain for anything of an "epic" nature.2019-09-03
.freeOrganizations that encourage the Non-Commercial use of the Free Internet.Non-Commercial use only. No new registrations accepted.Moved to.libre following ICANN addition of.free. Currently still resolving.
.geekAnything of a personal or hobbyist nature that would be considered "geeky"2008-02-18
.gopherContent delivery via the gopher protocol.Must serve content via the gopher protocol.
.indyIndependent media and arts.
.libreOrganizations that encourage the Non-Commercial use of the Free Internet.2017-01-03Non-Commercial use only.Successor to.free after the introduction of.free on the ICANN namespace.
.neoGeneral purpose.Usage should lean towards themes present in the 'emo subculture'
.nullMiscellaneous.Non-Commercial use only. Only natural persons may hold a.null domain.
.oGeneral purpose.2016-11-28Prohibits domain squatting and spam usage.
.ossOpen Source Software.
.ozAustralian websites 2012-06-11
.parodyParody websites.Non-Commercial use only.
.pirateInternet Freedom and sharing.

Peering agreements

OpenNIC provides resolution of select other alternative DNS roots.
NameIntended useDate IntroducedNotesPeer AuthorityStatus
.bazarfree marketplaceEmercoin
.bitNamecoin systems, websites and servicesDepeered due to disagreements between the OpenNIC and Namecoin projects.Namecoin
.coindigital currency and commerce websitesEmercoin
.emcwebsites associated with the Emercoin projectEmercoin
.furFurries, Furry Fandom and other Anthropormorphic interest websites2003-11-?Originally an OpenNIC TLD, now operated by FurNIC.FurNIC
.kuKurdish peopleNew Nations
.libFrom Words Library and Liberty - that is, knowledge and freedomEmercoin
.teTamil EelamNew Nations
.tiTibetNew Nations
.uuUyghur peopleNew Nations

New Nations

provides TLDs for nation-states that are not recognized by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard, and therefore haven't received their own ccTLD. Currently they provide.ku,.te,.ti, and.uu.

FurNIC

aims to bring a unique identity to Furries, Furry Fandom, and other Anthropomorphic interest websites across the internet. FurNIC and OpenNIC work closely, with.fur generally being treated as part of OpenNIC for most purposes, rather than a separate peer entity.

Namecoin

OpenNIC resolves.bit domains through the use of a centralized server which generates a DNS zone from the Namecoin blockchain. Access is provided through a Tier 1 server which bridges the OpenNIC system and Namecoin.
Some OpenNIC DNS servers make use of a Spamhaus-maintained blacklist of malicious.bit domains.

Emercoin

On January 15, 2015, domains registered in Emercoin's blockchain became accessible to all users of OpenNIC DNS. Emercoin DNS supports the domain zones.coin,.emc,.lib and.bazar. However, Emercoin DNS records can be registered/maintained from within the Emercoin software, and not as part of OpenNIC's management system.

Technical zones

OpenNIC operates some special-use TLDs, which are meant for technical or organizational purposes.
NameIntended useRestrictionsNotesStatus
.opennic.glueProvides hostnames for Tier 1 DNS servers and organizational websites and services.Domains cannot be registered. Domains are granted to each Tier 1 server operator or upon approval of the OpenNIC community.Example: "ns2.opennic.glue"
.dns.opennic.glueProvides hostnames for Tier 2 DNS servers on the OpenNIC network.Domains cannot be registered. Domains are automatically created upon the approval of a Tier 2 server.Example: "ns1.any.dns.opennic.glue"