RFC 882 and RFC 883, authored by Paul Mockapetris in 1983, introduced the architecture for the Domain Name System. Before this development, the early ARPAnet relied on a single host file for name-to-address translations. His work replaced this centralized model with a distributed, dynamic database that remains the standard framework for Internet navigation today.
Early Education and Career Beginnings
Born in Boston in 1948, Paul Mockapetris graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1966. He subsequently earned bachelor's degrees in physics and electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1971. In 1982, he completed a doctorate in information and computer science at the University of California, Irvine. He joined the USC Information Sciences Institute in 1978, where he developed the first SMTP email server.
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While at the USC Information Sciences Institute, Mockapetris identified the limitations of managing network addresses through a static table on individual operating systems. In 1983, he wrote the initial DNS implementation, nicknamed Jeeves, for the TOPS-20 operating system. His specifications were further codified in RFC 1034 and RFC 1035, published in November 1987, which provided the comprehensive implementation guidelines for the system.
Industry and Administrative Leadership
Mockapetris held significant roles in government and professional organizations, serving as the program manager for networking at ARPA from 1990 to 1993 and chair of the IETF from 1994 to 1996. His private sector experience includes positions at various technology firms, including Software.com, Fiberlane, and Urban Media. From 1999 to 2016, he served as Chief Scientist and chairman of the board at Nominum, a firm focused on IP address infrastructure. He currently holds the position of Chief Scientist at ThreatSTOP.
Professional Recognition
Mockapetris is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery. His contributions have been acknowledged with the 2003 IEEE Internet Award, the 2005 ACM SIGCOMM Award, and the 2019 ACM Software System Award. In 2012, he was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. Additional recognition includes the 2002 Distinguished Alumnus award from the University of California, Irvine and an honorary degree from Miguel Hernández University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Boston
- Education: MIT (1971), University of California, Irvine (1982)
- Key Invention: Domain Name System (DNS)
- Internet Hall of Fame Inductee: 2012
- ACM Fellow: 2004
- Current Position: Chief Scientist, ThreatSTOP
- Major RFCs: 882, 883, 1034, 1035
Questions readers ask
What was the original problem DNS solved?
It replaced the requirement for a single table of name-to-address translations stored on individual host operating systems.
Which organizations has Mockapetris served in leadership roles?
He served as program manager at ARPA, chair of the IETF, and member of the Internet Architecture Board.
Achievements
- Fields: Internet, network architecture and computer network protocol
