Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

(body, networking)

(IANA) The central registry for various "assigned numbers": Internet Protocol parameters, such as port, protocol, and enterprise numbers; and options, codes, and types. The currently assigned values are listed in the "Assigned Numbers" document STD 2. To request a number assignment, e-mail <iana@isi.edu>.

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IANA

(Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, www.iana.org) An operating unit of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that maintains the top-level domain, IP address and protocol number databases. The word "authority" means that IANA keeps authoritative records, but it has no jurisdiction over Internet activity and does not resolve address conflicts.

IANA coordinates all top-level domains such as .com and .org and country codes such as .us and .ca, which is necessary for the Internet's root servers and naming system (see DNS). It is also a registry for the many numerical codes assigned to data types and commands in the large variety of protocols used on the Internet, including routing and email protocols, port numbers and multicast and Ethernet addresses.

IANA provides coordination of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) around the world allocate to large companies, carriers and ISPs. It also assigns autonomous system (AS) numbers that are used by various routing protocols. See ICANN.

              Regional InternetLocation      Registry (RIR)

  Africa        AfriNIC
                www.afrinic.net

  Asia          APNIC
                www.apnic.net

  North         ARIN
   America      www.arin.net

  Latin         LACNIC
   America      www.lacnic.net

  Europe,       RIPE NCC
  Middle East,  www.ripe.net
  Central Asia

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