On 7/30/00 between 5 AM - 8 AM EDT Merit will convert from 'PGP-FROM' to 'PGPKEY' authentication as described in RFC 2726. All maintainer object 'PGP-FROM' instances will be converted to a 'PGPKEY' instance and a 'key-cert' object will be created for each unique 'PGPKEY' instance. After the conversion all public keys used for signing DB submissions will be visible in the registry as 'key-cert' objects. Registering public keys allows users to verify a maintainer's identity and to submit, update and maintain their own public keys like any other DB object. Normal PGP signing of DB submissions will continue to work exactly as before the conversion. The conversion should be seamless to our DB user community and no action is required. Merit has sent email to all users who will be affected by the conversion. The new 'PGPKEY' scheme makes it easier for users to integrate PGP signing into their DB update process. It is our wish that into the future all registry users will PGP sign their DB submissions. Please see www.radb.net/docs/keyfaq.html for additional information on the conversion process and tutorial information regarding the use of 'PGPKEY' authentication. Please consult RFC 2726 for the authoritative specification. IRRd team --Gerald Winters