Safemode management of domain transitioning

A method for transitioning an existing TLD from an existing registry operator to a new TLD of a new registry operator, the new TLD subsequently accessible over a communications network, the existing TLD having an operational zone, which method comprises:

• collecting existing registry data for the existing TLD from a plurality of registrars associated with one or more domain names of the existing TLD, such that each of the plurality of registrars provides a respective portion of the existing registry data;
• aggregating the respective portions of the existing registry data to generate new registry data for the new TLD;
• using the new registry data to generate new zone data for the new TLD, the new registry data containing at least some data representative of existing zone data of the operational zone for the existing TLD;
• publishing in a first mode the new zone data to nodes of a DNS (Domain Name System) as an unsecured zone, the first mode disabling write functionality of the new zone data while facilitating querying of the new zone data;
• waiting for a hold down period to expire;
• generating one or more signatures for the new zone data in order to provide the new zone data as a secured zone;
• and
• publishing in a second mode the new zone data to the nodes of the DNS, the second mode facilitating the write functionality of the new zone data, including said querying and updating of the new zone data, the new zone data of the second mode considered as a new operational zone for the new TLD and including the one or more signatures;
• wherein the new zone data and the new registry data in the first mode as well as in the second mode are accessible by the plurality of registrars over the communications network.

A method for transitioning an existing TLD from an existing registry operator to a new TLD of a new registry operator, the new TLD subsequently accessible over a communications network, the existing TLD having an operational zone, which method comprises:

• collecting existing registry data for the existing TLD from a plurality of registrars associated with one or more domain names of the existing TLD, such that each of the plurality of registrars provides a respective portion of the existing registry data;
• aggregating the respective portions of the existing registry data to generate new registry data for the new TLD;
• accessing the existing zone data in order to generate new zone data for the new TLD, the existing zone data containing at least some data facilitating the operational zone for the existing TLD;
• publishing in a first mode the new zone data to nodes of a DNS (Domain Name System), the first mode disabling write functionality of the new zone data while facilitating querying of the new zone data;
• and
• publishing in a second mode the new zone data to the nodes of the DNS, the second mode facilitating the write functionality of the new zone data, including said querying and updating of the new zone data, the new zone data of the second mode considered as a new operational zone for the new TLD;
• wherein the new zone data and the new registry data in the first mode as well as in the second mode are accessible by the plurality of registrars over the communications network.