Podgorica, Montenegro – March 16, 2009 – The .ME Registry announced today it is partnering with the Internet Systems Consortium (ISC), a non-profit which provides core Open Source Internet software and Afilias Limited, a leading provider of Internet infrastructure services, to place F-root servers at the .ME Registry data center in Podgorica, Montenegro. These servers will provide increased resilience and performance to the DNS in Montenegro.

“Having an F-root name server located in Podgorica provides improved response times and enhanced resiliency within the DNS infrastructure for all Internet users in Montenegro and the region,” stated Željko Drašković, CTO of the .ME Registry.

ISC equips each F-root server installation with IP Anycast, a routing technique that directs data to the nearest and best destination. “ISC is extremely happy to be working with the .ME Registry in placing F-root servers in Podgorica,” said Joao Damas, ISC’s F-root Program Manager. “This effort continues with our commitment to delivering strong DNS service to the entire Internet community.”

“Afilias is pleased to participate in this effort to enhance the Internet experience in Montenegro. Now, Montenegrins can enjoy even faster Internet service as well as the 100 percent uptime guaranteed by Afilias’ advanced DNS services,” commented David Knight of Afilias.

The F-root name server is one of the 13 root server types operated by different organizations throughout the world.  These servers are key components in the critical infrastructure of the Internet.  Virtually every Internet transaction, from sending an email to finding a website, begins with a Domain Names System (DNS) query. A DNS query is the method computers use to translate a human readable name such as www.isc.org to a network address that a computer can find. The root servers answer the question of where several hundred top-level domains including “COM”, “ORG”, “NET” or “ME” can be found.

Since 2003, ISC has deployed 44 new F-root name server sites around the globe, enhancing Internet response times in key regions and reducing the vulnerability of the Internet root name server system to attack.

About the .ME Registry

.ME Registry (the d.b.a. of doMEn, d.o.o.) was chosen by the government of Montenegro to operate the new .ME domain name extension. .ME Registry partners include ME-net, GoDaddy.com and Afilias Limited. ME-net is located in Montenegro and its principals have been leaders in the ICT sector in Montenegro, including the privatization of its largest ISP. GoDaddy.com is located in the USA and is the world’s largest domain name registrar and the largest paid hostname provider in the world, according to Netcraft Ltd. Afilias Limited is headquartered in Ireland and is a leading registry services provider, supporting more than 14 million domains worldwide.

About ISC

Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), public benefit corporation with a long history of developing and maintaining the production quality BIND and DHCP Open Source software. ISC has increased its focus to include enhancing the stability of the global DNS directly through reliable F-root name server operations and ongoing operation of a DNS crisis coordination center, ISC's OARC for DNS. ISC is also engaged in further protocol development efforts, particularly in the areas of DNS evolution and facilitating the transition to IPv6. ISC is supported by the donations of generous sponsors, program membership fees and specific fees for services.  For program or donation information, please visit our website at http://www.isc.org .

 About Afilias

Afilias is a global provider of Internet infrastructure services that connect people to their data. Afilias' reliable, secure, scalable, and globally available technology supports a wide range of applications including Internet domain registry services, Managed DNS, and services in the RFID and supply chain market with its Afilias Discovery Service. For additional information please visit www.afilias.info