The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on Thursday announced that a new L-Root server, an important part of the Internet's infrastructure, has gone live in Senegal.
Root servers are the first step in translating (resolving) the address names that people type into their web browsers into Internet Protocol (IP) address, which are then used in communications between Internet hosts.
"Root name servers are a critical part of the Internet," said Joe Abley, Director of DNS Operations at ICANN. "And this new Internet Root server in Dakar is part of an on-going global effort to improve Internet accessibility and operations in under-served regions along with improving the security and stability of the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS) for all users."
This newest L-Root server is going live as members of ICANN's community gather in Dakar, Senegal for the organization's 42nd public meeting.
"We need to acknowledge the work of NIC Senegal, l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Sonatel and the Network Resource Startup Center (NSRC), in helping us bring this Root server online," said Abley.