Editing Alternative DNS root (section)

==Defunct implementations==

===Open Root Server Network (ORSN)===
{{further|ORSN}}
Open Root Server Network (ORSN) was a network of Domain Name System root nameservers for the Internet. ORSN root zone information was normally kept in synchronization with the "official" root nameservers coordinated by ICANN. ORSN Public DNS Servers were operated by the community of ORSN, providing Domain Name System access freely for everyone, without any limitation. ORSN public DNS servers did not log usage. "The ORSN project was canceled on May 2019 and will never come back." {{Cite web|url=http://www.orsn.org/en/faq/|title=Open Root Server Network - General Information about this Project|website=ORSN.org|access-date=2017-07-28|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006125625/http://www.orsn.org/en/faq/|url-status=dead}}

===AlterNIC===
{{main|AlterNIC}}
AlterNIC was created before ICANN's creation to challenge the monopoly of [[InterNIC]] on domain name governance at the time.<ref name="anicws">{{cite web|url=http://www.alternic.net/TLDS.html |title=AlterNIC website |accessdate=2017-04-11 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970125144823/http://www.alternic.net/TLDS.html |archivedate=25 January 1997 }}</ref><ref name="sw1">George Lawton,{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.com/sunworldonline/swol-09-1996/swol-09-domain.html |title=''New top-level domains promise descriptive names'' |accessdate=2016-10-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221193305/http://www.sun.com/sunworldonline/swol-09-1996/swol-09-domain.html |archivedate=1996-12-21 }}, SunWorld, 1996-09-16, retrieved through Archive.org</ref>

===eDNS===
eDNS (Enhanced Domain Name Service) was founded by a coalition of ISPs led by [[Karl Denninger]] of the Chicago-area MCSNet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9707181217/schism-hits-domain-name-system|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190527/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9707181217/schism-hits-domain-name-system|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-29|first=Will|last=Rodger|title=Schism hits Domain Name System|work=Inter@ctive Week|date=February 1997|volume=4|number=5|accessdate=2013-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.cnet.com/Rogue-domains-revolt/2100-1023_3-275957.html|title=Rogue domains revolt|work=[[CNET]]|date=1997-03-04|accessdate=2013-01-06}}</ref> It ceased operation in 1998. It served the following domains:  biz (general business use), corp (corporations), fam (for and about family), k12 (for and about children), npo (non-profit organizations), per (personal domains), web (web-based sites, Web pages).

===Open RSC===
One of the notable challengers to ICANN's control of the DNS namespace was ''Open RSC'' (''Open Root Server Confederation''), a group that grew out of private discussions and developed into a public [[Listserv|mailing list]].  It grew large enough that the group decided to submit an application to the United States government to run the DNS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm |title=ORSC proposal of 8 October 1998 |publisher=Ntia.doc.gov |accessdate=2009-11-06| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091109182608/http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm| archivedate= 9 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The organization posted bylaws and articles of incorporation outlining ORSC's position following extensive public discussion regarding the manner in which the DNS was operated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/bylaws.html |title=ORSC bylaws |publisher=Ntia.doc.gov |accessdate=2009-11-06| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091021022746/http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/bylaws.html| archivedate= 21 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm |title=ORSC articles of incorporation |publisher=Ntia.doc.gov |accessdate=2009-11-06| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091109182608/http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/orsc/ORSC_PRO.htm| archivedate= 9 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

ICANN chairwoman [[Esther Dyson]] acknowledged adopting features such as membership from ORSC in her response to the United States Department of Commerce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/icann111098.htm |title=NTIA Reviewing ICANN November 6 Submission |publisher=Ntia.doc.gov |accessdate=2009-11-06| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091108032422/http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/ICANN111098.htm| archivedate= 8 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

ORSC publishes a root zone containing additional top level domains not found in the [[ICANN]] root zone.

===RealNames===
Microsoft offered the [[RealNames]] service on its Internet Explorer browser address bar. RealNames, to users of Internet Explorer, was in effect a [[domain registry]]. RealNames shut down operations in 2002 following a decision by Microsoft to redirect the 1 billion page views per calendar quarter that RealNames was resolving from the browser address bar into its [[MSN search engine]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}