The term “top-level domain” (TLD) is an element of the domain name system (DNS) in internet networking. According to ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the TLD is the right-most label in the DNS. It can be either generic (.com, .net, .org, etc.) or country-specific (.us, .uk, .de, etc.).
Now, let’s focus on the VeriSign company, and illuminate its role in the context of TLDs. According to the company’s official site, VeriSign is a global provider of domain name registry services and internet infrastructure. It operates two of the world’s largest TLDs, .com and .net. This role means VeriSign maintains the directory of domain names and translates them into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, a critical element of the internet’s infrastructure allowing online entities to exist and ensuring the proper routing of internet traffic. In essence, when an internet user types a domain name into their browser, it’s the responsibility of companies like VeriSign to direct the user to the correct website.
According to Statista, as of the 3rd quarter of 2020, the .com TLD had over 150.3 million domain name registrations worldwide. The .net TLD had about 13.4 million domain name registrations. VeriSign has overseen these vast quantities of domain names since it was handed responsibility for the .com and .net registries by the U.S Department of Commerce in 1997.
Moreover, VeriSign’s service doesn’t stop at .com and .net. Root-servers.org notes that VeriSign Global Registry Services maintain one of the world’s 13 internet root servers (A-Root). The root server system is the highest level in the DNS hierarchy, facilitating the conversion of readable domain names into IP addresses across all TLDs.
Therefore, VeriSign plays a significant role in the operation of the internet by managing two of the internet’s most crucial TLDs (.com and .net) and one of the global internet root servers. Through these functions, VeriSign ensures the seamless routing of internet traffic and enables the very existence of online entities.
In summary, in the realm of TLDs, VeriSign performs the crucial task of managing the .com and .net registries, which includes a startling number of individual domain names. Additionally, it operates an A-Root internet server, allowing it to facilitate the redirection of internet traffic across all TLDs.
Sources:
1. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers – ICANN
2. VeriSign Inc. – Official Site
3. ‘Number of domain names worldwide in 3rd quarter 2020’ – Statista
4. ‘Root Server Technical Operations Assn.’ – Root-servers.org
5. ‘Verisign: A Brief History and Timeline’ – CircleID.com
