Domain Name Systems

Number: ENT-INT-021

Established for: State of Montana Information TechnologyEnterprise

Scott Darkenwald, Director
Department of Administration
Date: April 2002

Policy - Requirements

SCOPE

This policy applies to all state computer networks that reside on the inside of the state's Internet firewall. This policy does not apply to colleges and universities, the Commissioner of Higher Education Office, or public access computers in libraries.

PURPOSE

It is important that domain names be standard and consistent. It is necessary to have naming standards so information created will be standardized and consistent from agency to agency, reducing confusion on the part of the public.

REQUIREMENTS

The following acronyms will be used to identify agencies and to remain consistent with other automated directory services on the state network. These acronyms are to be used in naming objects and other items on the network.

As the size and use of the Internet increases, it is important to maintain organization for the State of Montana's Domain Name System (DNS). The State's primary domain is mt.gov. The DNS naming convention for a state agency is listed as follows: <agency acronym>.mt.gov (e.g. doa.mt.gov). When assigning new domain names, this naming convention will be used.

All domain names for a site must be prefixed by the agency's acronym. The following acronyms will be used to identify agency domain names to remain consistent with other automated directory services on the state network:

ADV - Montana Advocacy Program
AGR - Department of Agriculture
ART - Montana Arts Council
BOE - State Board of Education
BPE - Board of Public Education
CHE - Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
DOC - Department of Commerce
COR - Department of Corrections
CPP - Commissioner of Political Practices
DEQ - Department of Environmental Quality
DLI - Department of Labor and Industry
DMA - Department of Military Affairs
DOA - Department of Administration
DOJ - Department of Justice
DOR - Department of Revenue
FWP - Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
GOV - Governor's Office
HCT - Helena College of Technology
HHS - Department of Public Health & Human Services
HIS - Historical Society
JUD - Judiciary
LEG - Legislative Branch
LIV - Department of Livestock
MDT - Department of Transportation
MSL - Montana State Library
DNR - Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
OPI - Office of Public Instruction
PSC - Department of Public Service Regulation
SAO - State Auditor's Office
SOS - Secretary of State
STF - Montana State Fund
USM - University System

Publicized IP host names residing within a giv, en agency's domain must be descriptive of the site's function. Common examples of these types of IP hosts are Web, FTP, and mail servers. For example, the job search site for the Department of Labor and Industry would be "jsd.dli.mt.gov". The audience for the site must be able to relate to the site's intended purpose by the IP host name. The IP host name must be what the audience of the site would intuitively use in a search to find the site.

If multiple agencies are in collaboration on one site, the agency name used in the domain name is the one responsible for the IP host where the site resides.

All city, county, and state agencies are required to follow the US Registry Standards in RFC1480. Under some circumstances, an agency may deviate from the standard naming conventions. Agencies will be permitted to register alternate domain names for the purpose of establishing an Internet or web presence. If an agency uses something different from the standard naming conventions, it must follow these procedures:

  • Obtain approval for the exception from the ITSD Policy and Planning Services Bureau. Approval must be obtained prior to registering domains outside of RFC1480. The new domain name must be registered prior to being added to the state DNS.
  • The agency is responsible for the nature and format of the alternate domain name.
  • The agency is responsible for obtaining and incurring the cost of its own domain name from the Internet Domain Name Registers.
  • The domains can only be used for hosting web, FTP and e-mail services.
  • If a domain name is discontinued, the agency must notify ITSD.

Background - History on the creation of or changes to this policy

This policy was created by the Network Technology Services Bureau of the Information Technology Services Division of the Department of Administration. It was modified in April 2001 to reflect changes in process for agencies to obtain exceptions for deviating from the standard naming conventions. It has been distributed to the Information Technology Managers Council for comment and review prior to adoption.

Guidelines - Recommendations, not requirements

It is recommended that IP host names not intended for public information also follow this policy.

References - Laws, rules, standard operating procedures and applicable policies

2-17-512, MCA; 2-17-534, MCA