Official Domain Name Organizations

InterNIC InterNIC is the only organization that maintains the database of information related to a domain name under .com, .net, .org, and .edu. Registrations, renewals, and modifications to any of the information on the Whois database have to be processed through them.

ICANN The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a technical coordination body for the Internet. Created in October 1998 by a broad coalition of the Internet's business, technical, academic, and user communities, ICANN is assuming responsibility for a set of technical functions previously performed under U.S. government contract by IANA and other groups.

IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) The function that currently oversees registration for various Internet Protocol parameters, such as port numbers, protocol and enterprise numbers, options, codes, and types. The IANA function is currently located at the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California in Marina del Rey, California

Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) A research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). ARPA was responsible for the development of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), an experimental network that was designed to connect computers in disparate geographic locations and allow researchers to share information and other resources. In the mid 1970s, ARPA became the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA continued to operate ARPANET, which eventually transformed into a packet-switched network that used the TCP/IP protocols and subsequently laid the groundwork for the development of the network we now know as the Internet.

American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) The non-profit organization established to manage the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) numbers for the areas currently served by the InterNIC's Registration Services: the Americas, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. The National Science Foundation (NSF) approved the establishment of ARIN on June 24, 1997.

Asia-Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC) APNIC is a collaborative effort consisting of national Network Information Centers (NICs) and Internet Service Providers within the Asian-Pacific region. The APNIC acts as a regional Internet Registry, providing the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) address space to the Asian-Pacific region.

Commercial Internet eXchange Association (CIX) CIX is a non-profit trade association of Public Data Internetwork service providers. CIX promotes and encourages development of the public data communications internetworking services industry in both national and international markets. CIX provides a broad-based, neutral forum to exchange ideas, information, and experimental projects among suppliers of internetworking services.

Internet Architecture Board (IAB) IAB oversees the development of Internet standards and protocols, and acts as a liaison between the Internet Society (ISOC) and other standards bodies.

Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) The Internet Engineering Steering Group acts as the operational management arm of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) IETF is an international, voluntary body consisting of network designers, engineers, researchers, vendors, and other interested individuals who work together to address and resolve technical and operational problems on the Internet and develop Internet standards and protocols. The IETF, which was formed by the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), meets three times a year, however the bulk of the collaboration and work takes place on the various mailing lists maintained by its participants.

Internet Society (ISOC) The ISOC is an international organization that was founded in 1992. The ISOC is dedicated to the expansion, development and availability of the Internet and holds an annual meeting, INET, in various location around the world.

National Science Foundation (NSF) An independent U.S. government agency that sponsors, funds, and fosters research and development in science and engineering. The NSF has gradually transitioned its role and responsibility in the Internet to the private sector, however it continues to be involved in a number of experimental networking efforts.

North American Network Operators Group (NANOG) A forum organized by Merit Network, Inc. to provide for the exchange of technical information within the community of network service providers. NANOG members can include private, public, federal, commercial or other networks that consider themselves providers of Internet services. The members meet three times a year to discuss operational issues and other technical matters. Membership is not limited to North America but the focus of the forum is on North American network issues.