PTI and the IANA Functions
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions are a set of administrative tasks critical to ensuring the global coordination of the DNS root zone, IP addressing and protocol parameters. The IANA functions are performed by Public Technical Identifiers (PTI) under contracts and sub-contracts with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
As part of the IANA functions, PTI allocates IP address space from the pool of unallocated addresses to the RIRs according to their needs and in line with current global numbering policy. PTI also maintains a registry of the IP address blocks and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) that have been allocated to each RIR.
- Each RIR makes its own requests for IP addresses and ASNs based on regional needs, and the allocations are made directly to each RIR.
- The RIRs then assign IP addresses to their members, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), or to National Internet Registries (NIRs).
IANA Service Level Agreement (SLA)
An SLA between the five RIRs and the operator of the IANA functions was signed in 2016.
The IANA Numbering Services Review Committee (IANA RC)
The IANA RC‘s function is to advise and assist the NRO Executive Council (NRO EC) in its periodic review of the service level of the IANA Numbering Services provided to the Internet Number Community.
IANA Functions Policy
The RIR communities are responsible for developing global Internet number policy, which includes policies governing the management of the global pools of IP addresses and ASNs, as described in the ASO Memorandum of Understanding.
The IANA Oversight Transition
From 2002-2016, the IANA functions were performed by ICANN under a contract awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency in the United States’ Department of Commerce.
In August 2016, PTI was incorporated as an affiliate of ICANN, and, through contracts and subcontracts with ICANN, began performing the IANA functions in October 2016. Find out more about the RIRs’ involvement in the IANA Stewardship Transition in our transition archive.
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Last modified on 18/09/2018