Regional Internet registry
| Founded | 1992 (RIPE NCC) 1993 (APNIC) 1997 (ARIN) 1999 (LACNIC) 2003 (NRO) 2004 (AFRINIC) |
|---|---|
| Type | Internet governance |
| Focus | providing a coordinated Internet number registry system supporting the multi-stakeholder model |
| Origins | 1992 RIPE NCC begins distributing addresses 2003 letter from RIRs to ICANN 2004 Memorandum of Understanding |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Method | coordinating joint activities of regional internet registries |
| Internet |
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| Internet portal |
A regional Internet registry (RIR) is an organization that manages the allocation and registration of Internet number resources within a region of the world. Internet number resources include IP addresses and autonomous system (AS) numbers.
The regional Internet registry system evolved, eventually dividing the responsibility for management to a registry for each of five regions of the world. The regional Internet registries are informally liaised through the unincorporated Number Resource Organization (NRO), which is a coordinating body to act on matters of global importance.
As of 2005, there are currently five regional registries:
- The African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) is based in Ebene, Mauritius and serves all of Africa.
- The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) is based in Chantilly, Virginia, United States and serves Antarctica, Canada, the United States, and some Caribbean countries and territories.
- The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) is based in Brisbane, Australia and serves East, South and Southeast Asia and Oceania.
- The Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre (LACNIC) is based in Montevideo, Uruguay and serves Latin America as well as some Caribbean countries.
- Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands and serves Central and West Asia, Europe, and Russia.