The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29
1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to
the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the
software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and
spun out of control.
Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for
this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
Microsoft DNS has a poor response and can spin out of control with all root
servers available.. how would you tell the difference 
Steve
Steve,
You said...
Microsoft DNS has a poor response and can spin out of control with all root
servers available.. how would you tell the difference
This just in... The RPSEC mailing list has the recommendation to the Government (US that is) on both BGP and DNS.
ISP BGP & DNS Working Group
Working Paper developed as part of the NSTAC Process - Not for Further Dissemination
(If your not meant to disseminate it, then why did it end up on the RPSEC mailing list?)
Here is what it says about DNS...
Recommendations for DNS
1. Encourage physical diversity (both network and geographic) for top-level domain servers.
2. Encourage greater software diversity for DNS sever systems. Currently most DNS servers are based on the BIND Berkeley Internet Name Domain code base. There is also a Microsoft Windows version of DNS that very few groups currently run.
3. ...
Hence... At least in the US (and I can't say for the rest of the world), the government have been recommended to consider Microsoft's version of DNS.
Will the UK Government follow in the US's footsteps?
Martin
* sean@donelan.com (Sean Donelan) [Wed 23 Oct 2002, 19:34 CEST]:
The last time all the root servers were down was June 28 1985. On June 29
1985 there was a flurry of messages about adding root server down code to
the various DNS implementations of the day. Apparently, some of the
software had a poor response to all root servers being unreachable, and
spun out of control.Has anyone tested modern DNS code (Microsoft and BIND to name two) for
this condition recently? I haven't, hence my question.
I'm certain that a lot of Linux users on dialups have their computers
boot up with an `all root servers unreachable' condition present, and
that the caching named's on their computers don't spin out of control.
To name but one scenario.
Regards,
-- Niels.