The DNS has a large installed base and repertoire of protocol specifications. The DNSEXT working group will actively advance DNS protocol-related RFCs on the standards track while thoroughly reviewing further proposed extensions. The scope of the DNSEXT WG is confined to the DNS protocol, particularly changes that affect DNS protocols "on the wire" or the internal processing of DNS data. DNS operations are out of scope for the WG. The WG will consider work in the following areas: * DNSSEC and TSIG/TKEY algorithm maintenance * Mechanisms that complement, or are alternatives to, TSIG and SIG(0) * Hardening DNS protocol and providing guidance to implementers * Advancing existing DNS-related Proposed Standard RFCs to Draft/Full Standard * Obsoleting DNS-related RFCs * Maintaining a Wiki containing a guide to DNS protocol RFCs * Improving DNS zone synchronization mechanisms * Examining transport protocols, possibly adding new ones. * Mechanisms to alias DNS trees or parts thereof While the DNS offers two mechanisms for aliasing DNS labels -- CNAME and DNAME -- neither of these provides the support necessary to alias completely one part of the DNS tree as another part. There are claims that the restriction has proven to be too great in practice, particularly with burgeoning deployment of IDNA and the need to provide domain name variants. The issue is made more complex by DNSSEC The DNSEXT WG will evaluate ways to provide such aliasing, to add metadata to zones to allow easier operation of zones when such aliasing is needed, or both. The WG will also provide an informational document outlining the various strategies available, what they might be used for, and what their limitations are. It is possible that the WG will conclude no aliasing or metadata support is possible, or that none of the proposals so far made are adequate. Before formal adoption of any work item at least 5 working group participants must publicly state that the item is within charter and is a worthwhile item for further study. The DNSEXT WG will conduct the specified RFC5395 review of RR templates as they are posted, and EDNS0 Option templates if EDNS0-bis updates registration requirements. The WG will review DNS protocol related work which may originate elsewhere in the IETF, including AD-sponsored submissions or drafts in other working group.