clarification

My Understanding of the Goals of WhoIs from the meeting I attended 
until my battery ran out.

The design function of the WhoIs database is to provide network 
contact information for technical admin purposes. The WhoIs database 
is failing in its critical functions. This working group proposes to 
implement an updated WhoIs in order to solve the following problems:

Referrals

Query controls/number of queries

Data accuracy

Standardized query and query responses.

The proposal is for an extension of WhoIs with a tight focus on the 
core requirements. This may result in a decrease in the availability 
of WhoIs technical contacts to users at large. The concern of this 
working group
is only the technical information, distinct from any information 
which may be desirable for any other social or economic purposes.

The following must be true of the final protocol:

- it must allow graceful evolution so that upgrades need not be simultaneous

- it must provide information to those who provide network services, 
including network administrators and incident response teams

- it must increase data accuracy

- it may implement authentication

- backwards compatibility

The design of such a system must clearly define the protocols and 
data formats for a WhoIs database which will provide reliable 
authenticated technical contact information for users authenticated 
to have a technical need to know.



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