Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the body responsible for coordinating some of the key elements that keep the Internet running smoothly. While the Internet is thought to be free from central control, there is a technical need for some key parts of the Internet to be globally coordinated - and this coordination role is undertaken by IANA.

Specifically, IANA allocates and maintains unique codes and numbering systems that are used in the technical standards ("protocols") that drive the Internet.

IANA's various activities can be broadly grouped in to three categories:

Domain names - IANA manages the DNS root, the .int and .arpa domains, and an IDN practices resource.
Number resources - IANA coordinates the global pool of IP and AS numbers, providing them to Regional Internet Registries.
Protocol Assignments - IANA manages the number systems of Internet protocols in conjunction with standards bodies.

IANA is one of the Internet's oldest institutions, with its activities dating back to the 1970s. Today it is operated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, an internationally-organised non-profit organisation set up by the Internet community to help coordinate IANA's areas of responsibilities.