RDAP Transition: How to Get Started
We are excited to announce that our domain expiration monitoring system is transitioning to RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol). This upgrade is being implemented to comply with ICANN’s mandate to modernize domain data access. RDAP offers significant improvements over the legacy WHOIS protocol, including enhanced accuracy, security, and reliability. This post will guide you through why this change is necessary, what actions you need to take, and what to expect during the transition.
Why is This Change Necessary?
ICANN, the global authority overseeing domain name management, has mandated the adoption of RDAP to address the limitations of the WHOIS protocol. These limitations include:
- Outdated Technology: WHOIS lacks the structure and flexibility required to meet modern internet needs.
- Security Concerns: WHOIS does not support encrypted connections, leaving data vulnerable to interception.
- Privacy and Compliance: RDAP ensures better compliance with regulations like GDPR by enabling access controls and structured data formats.
By adopting RDAP, we ensure compliance with ICANN’s requirements and provide you with a more robust tool for monitoring domain expiration dates.
How Will the Rollout Work?
We are implementing RDAP in a phased manner to ensure a seamless transition:
Automatic Rollout
RDAP will be gradually enabled for monitors, starting with a small subset for testing. This allows us to monitor performance and resolve any issues before a full rollout.
Enabling RDAP Manually
If you are interested in enabling RDAP immediately, you can do so manually. Here’s how:
- Navigate to your WHOIS monitors page.
- Select the monitors you wish to update.
- Click the three vertical dots menu to the right of the Add Monitor button.
- Click on the Enable RDAP menu item
- The RDAP column indicates if RDAP is enabled for the monitor. You can sort by this column.
- You can also use it as a filter to see only the monitors with RDAP enabled/disabled.
What to Expect
While we have thoroughly tested RDAP integration to ensure a smooth transition, you may experience the following:
- Slight Delays in Data Retrieval: RDAP’s enhanced security measures might result in slightly longer query times compared to WHOIS.
- Data Discrepancies: As registries fully adapt to RDAP, temporary inconsistencies in domain expiration dates might occur.
Our team is actively monitoring these challenges to address any issues promptly and ensure a seamless experience for you.
Why RDAP is Better for You
With RDAP, you can enjoy:
- Greater Accuracy: Structured data from registries reduces discrepancies in domain information.
- Enhanced Security: RDAP supports encrypted connections, safeguarding your data.
- Future-Proofing: RDAP compliance ensures you are aligned with the latest internet standards.
Do You Need to Take Action?
You don’t need to do anything—the RDAP upgrade will happen automatically. However, if you want to enable RDAP early, you can follow the steps outlined above.
For those who prefer to wait, rest assured that your monitors will be transitioned to RDAP over the coming days without any interruptions.
Conclusion
The transition to RDAP represents a significant improvement in domain monitoring, ensuring compliance, security, and reliability. We encourage you to enable RDAP for your monitors today to stay ahead of the curve. Thank you for trusting us to help you manage your domains efficiently.
