The APNIC FAQ

APNIC is one of five Regional Internet Registries in the world. It is a not-for-profit, membership organisation, responsible for distributing and registering Internet address resources throughout the Asia Pacific region. APNIC works closely with the Internet community to help ensure responsible management of Internet address resources and reliable operation of the Internet.

What resources and services does APNIC provide?

APNIC is responsible for Internet Protocol (IP) address space (both IPv4 and IPv6), Autonomous System (AS) numbers, and "in-addr.arpa" domain delegations. APNIC also provides a number of other services to members, including training, education, and regional networking activities.

What is an RIR?

Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) manage, distribute, and register public, numeric Internet address space (and related resources) within their respective regions.

RIR	Region served
APNIC	Asia Pacific
RIPE NCC	Europe and the Middle-East
ARIN	Northern America and sub-Saharan Africa
LACNIC	Latin America and the Carribean
AfriNIC	Africa

RIRs were originally established under the authority of IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) to serve and represent large geographical regions. IANA delegates large ranges of Internet resources to the RIRs, which then allocate the resources within their regions. The RIRs work closely with each other and others to develop consistent policies and promote best current practice for the Internet.

What is APNIC's region?

There are 56 economies within the Asia Pacific region, from Afghanistan in the Middle East to Pitcairn in the Pacific Ocean.

Afghanistan
American Samoa
Australia
Bangladesh
Bhutan
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Cook Islands
East Timor
Fiji
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Guam
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Kiribati
Korea, Dem. People's Republic
Korea, Republic of
Laos People's Dem. Republic
Macau
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Micronesia, Fed. States of
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Pitcairn
Samoa
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Wallis and Futuna Islands

Does APNIC provide any training for ISP staff?

Yes. APNIC conducts training services for ISPs' technical and administrative personnel who have responsibility for allocating and/or assigning IP addresses. The training programs provide a solid grounding in APNIC's allocation and assignment policies and cover practical areas such as designing addressing plans, routing considerations, and effectively using the APNIC Whois Database.

How are APNIC's policies made?

APNIC's policies emerge through a bottom-up process of consultation and consensus, from the membership and the broader Internet community. Member meetings are held twice annually. Anyone may attend the meetings and participate in discussions and consensus-driven decision making. APNIC members are entitled to vote on formal membership issues. The membership elects an Executive Council (EC), which oversees APNIC's activities between meetings. APNIC also uses the website and the public mailing lists to advise members of any proposed developments in policies and procedures.

Who are the members of the Executive Council?

The Executive Council (EC) is a group of eight individuals responsible for the governance of APNIC. Seven of its members are directly elected by the APNIC members, and the eighth member is the APNIC Director General. The precise responsibilities of the EC are described by the APNIC By-laws. The EC has traditionally included people of high standing and expertise in the Asia Pacific Internet community. EC positions are voluntary, although in some circumstances APNIC will reimburse EC representatives for certain expenses.

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