Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the entity responsible for coordinating some of the key elements that keep the Internet running smoothly. Whilst the Internet is renowned for being a worldwide network free from central coordination, 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: 

• manages the root zone of the Domain Names System (DNS) Root Zone, through assigning the operators of generic top-level domains (gTLDs such as .com and .org) and country code top level domains (ccTLDs, such as .uk and .cn), and maintaining their technical and administrative details;
• ensures management for and operates the .int and .arpa domains;
• coordinates allocations from the global Internet Protocol (IP) and Autonomous System (AS) number spaces, such as those made to Regional Internet Registries; and
• functions as central repository for protocol name and number registries used in many Internet protocols.

As of 1 October 2016, the IANA functions are provided by the Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), an affiliate of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).