NLnet Labs

NLnet Labs, formally Stichting NLnet Labs, is a non-profit foundation in Amsterdam that writes free, liberally licensed open-source software for two parts of the internet's core: the Domain Name System and BGP routing. Besides software it does applied research, works on internet standards and supports network operators. The Dutch tax authorities recognise it as a Public Benefit Organisation (ANBI), which the foundation compares to a 501(c)(3) organisation in the United States.

What it does

Its DNS software includes Unbound, a recursive and validating DNS resolver; NSD, an authoritative nameserver; and Cascade, a DNSSEC signing solution, along with smaller tools and libraries such as ldns, domain, dnsi and dnst. For routing security it builds Routinator, RPKI relying party software; Krill, an RPKI certificate authority; and Rotonda, a BGP application platform. The foundation publishes security advisories with patches for each affected release, and says at least two developers work on every project to keep it stable and continuous.

Who it serves

The software is used by internet service providers, hosting companies, DNS operators and enterprises that run their own resolvers or routing infrastructure. The foundation sells professional support contracts with direct access to the engineers who build the software, and offers community support through its forum.

How it is funded

NLnet Labs says all its work is funded by organisations in the internet industry, through donations, support contracts and paid feature development. Dutch rules let it hold reserves for two years of operation, so it commits to announcing at least two years in advance if it can no longer maintain a project.

Key facts

Legal form: foundation (Stichting), non-profit Public Benefit Organisation (ANBI) Address: Science Park 400, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands Team: fifteen employees, as stated by the foundation Main products: Unbound, NSD, Cascade, Routinator, Krill, Rotonda Licence: open source, liberally licensed Founding year: not stated on the pages read