Planned release date: 7 September 2010

Account security

We are providing Online Service account holders with an optional extra layer of security when logging into their account. Currently log in requires the username (email address) and a password. Account holders will have the option of switching on enhanced security. This will require an additional passphrase to be set. Users will be asked for 3 characters from the phrase in order to log into their account.

Usability

As part of our ongoing changes to improve the design and usability of Online Service, several functions will have new screen layouts and improvements to the workflow. The core functions remain unchanged. This release will include changes to the following processes:

• Amend account details (registrants and registrars)
• Re-establish identity (registrants and registrars)
• Merge accounts
• Domain name cancellation
• Account settings page for registrars
• Service applications

Public Register Search Service

As part of our development plan for the PRSS, we are launching a beta version. The new PRSS beta will run alongside the existing service and replicate its functionality within a new database system. This new system should give considerable performance improvements over the existing service. Future PRSS releases will see the implementation of similarity searches and an email alert service. Full details are available in the development plan.

Email preferences

We are introducing an email preference option, which will allow members and registrars to choose how they would prefer to receive email from Nominet.

We intend to start sending nom-announce and other communications updates in HTML format. Subscribers will be able to use the new email preference setting ahead of this change.

We will make further announcements via the mailing lists to inform subscribers that the mail format will change and advise them how to change their preferences. Please note that we are not changing how system generated email is sent, this includes notifications from the automaton, EPP or online service. These will continue to be sent as plain text.

IPv6 Rollout

We are implementing IPv6 support for all of our external systems. IPv6 will be enabled for:

• EPP servers - live and testbed
  
• WHOIS servers - live and testbed
• WHOIS2 servers - live and testbed
• DAC servers - live and testbed
• Automaton servers - live and testbed
• Online Services (including Web Domain Manager)
• Nominet websites (www.nominet.org.uk, www.keepyour.co.uk)