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RDAP Bootstrap Server

The RDAP server can be configured to operate as a bootstrap server using the RDAP_SRV_BOOTSTRAP environment variable. When enabled, the server automatically downloads IANA RDAP bootstrap files and provides HTTP redirects to direct clients to the appropriate authoritative RDAP services.

Overview

A bootstrap server serves as a single entry point for RDAP queries. Instead of clients needing to know which RDAP server is authoritative for a specific resource, they can query the bootstrap server, which redirects them to the correct service.

Configuration

Enable bootstrap functionality by setting the RDAP_SRV_BOOTSTRAP environment variable:

export RDAP_SRV_BOOTSTRAP=true

Bootstrap Process

When bootstrap mode is enabled, the server performs the following operations:

1. Initial Bootstrap

  • Downloads IANA RDAP bootstrap files from IANA
  • Processes the bootstrap data for different resource types
  • Creates redirect templates for all supported services
  • Runs once before starting the bootstrap update thread

2. Automatic Updates

  • Refreshes bootstrap data every 60 seconds
  • Checks for updated IANA registry files
  • Updates redirect templates when new data is available
  • Maintains cached bootstrap files

3. Data Sources

The bootstrap server downloads and processes the following IANA registries:

  • DNS Bootstrap: Domain name services (TLD delegations) and reverse DNS.
  • ASN Bootstrap: Autonomous System number services
  • IPv4 Bootstrap: IPv4 network services including reverse DNS.
  • IPv6 Bootstrap: IPv6 network services including reverse DNS.
  • Object Tags: Service provider entity tags

Redirect Behavior

The bootstrap server issues HTTP 307 (Temporary Redirect) responses for all queries, directing clients to the authoritative RDAP service for the requested resource.

Resource Types

Domain Names

GET /domain/example.com HTTP/1.1
Host: bootstrap.rdap.example.com

HTTP/1.1 307 Temporary Redirect
Location: https://registry.example.com/rdap/domain/example.com

IP Networks

GET /ip/203.0.113.0/24 HTTP/1.1
Host: bootstrap.rdap.example.com

HTTP/1.1 307 Temporary Redirect  
Location: https://rir.example.com/rdap/ip/203.0.113.0/24

Autonomous Systems

GET /autnum/64496 HTTP/1.1
Host: bootstrap.rdap.example.com

HTTP/1.1 307 Temporary Redirect
Location: https://rir3.example.com/rdap/autnum/64496

Configuration Options

Environment Variables

# Enable bootstrap functionality
export RDAP_SRV_BOOTSTRAP=true

# Optional: Update storage when bootstrap data changes
export RDAP_SRV_UPDATE_ON_BOOTSTRAP=true

# Required: Data directory for bootstrap files
export RDAP_SRV_DATA_DIR="/var/lib/rdap-srv/data"

Update Behavior

The RDAP_SRV_UPDATE_ON_BOOTSTRAP variable controls how bootstrap updates are handled:

  • false (default): Triggers data reload without full storage update
  • true: Performs complete storage update when bootstrap data changes