Regional Internet Registries (RIR) manage internet number resources, including IPV4, IPV6 addresses, and Autonomous System Numbers (ASN) within a specific region in the world. There are five RIRs in the world.
Five Regions of RIR
- AFRINIC- African Network Information Center
- APNIC- Asia-Pacific Network Information Center
- ARIN- American Registry for Internet Number
- LACNIC- Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Center
- RIPE NCC- Research IP Europeans Network Coordination Center
All five RIRs combined to form the Number Resource Organization (NRO) which was established in the year 2003. The NRO help the RIRs coordinate technical and global policy among themselves and ensured that the RIRs could work orderly together.
Role of RIR
The global RIRs systems make sure that each internet number resource is uniquely allocated to one party to confirm the continuous functioning of the internet. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has authority over all number spaces used in the Internet, including IP address space and Autonomous System Number (ASN).
IANA allocates public Internet address space to Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) confirming their established needs. The RIRs serve large regional entities, including Internet service providers (ISP), Educational institutes, Governments, and Large Corporations and Organizations.
Need for RIR
There are millions of IP addresses available, but those numbers are limited. The current IP address, known as IPV4, is not available with infinite addresses. That fact made the internet administration organizations realize there was an urgent need for up-close and smart management of IP addresses.
The RIR came up with rules to make it all work. Each RIR must follow a general IP address allocation and distribution policy, that prevents one RIR from hoarding IP addresses for computer users in their region. RIR plays a vital role in ensuring the proper functioning of the Internet by managing key pieces of internet infrastructure.
RIR Members
RIR members comprises of Internet service providers (ISPs), governments, universities, civil society, end users, for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises of all sizes and across all business sectors. Members pay fees to an RIR based on the type and number of services they require. Each RIR sets its own membership requirements and fees.
Regional Policy Development Process
RIR policy development processes (PDP) are designed so anyone who is interested in Internet number resource policy can participate. Anyone can propose a policy or an amendment to a current policy. Once a policy proposal is submitted, anyone can submit comments, or provide support or objection to the proposal.
