This category provides insights into the governance structures that guide the operation of the Internet worldwide. Discover how global and regional entities contribute to the seamless operation of the Internet, maintain its integrity, and ensure equitable access to Internet resources.
Introduction to IPv4 and IPv6 IPv4 IPv4, or Internet Protocol version 4, serves as the foundation of the modern internet, guiding the bulk of today’s web traffic. As a protocol, it provides the necessary guidance for connecting, directing, and transferring data between various network nodes. In essence, it is the address system of the internet …
When you send a letter, you need a specific street address. Similarly, to navigate and send information across the expansive web, devices need IP addresses. Just like every home or business address is unique, every device on the internet has a unique IP address. While the concept of an IP address is quite straightforward, there’s …
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is an open international community of network designers, engineers, vendors, researchers, and other interested individuals whose goal is to produce high-quality, relevant technical and organizational documents that influence and shape the way people design, use, and manage the Internet. These technical documents pertain to different aspects of internet technology—ranging …
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, commonly known as ICANN, is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the global Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet – thereby ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation. In simple terms, ICANN acts as the internet’s traffic controller. It ensures the smooth flow of digital traffic …
Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses are a limited resource, and as their availability has decreased, the transfer of IPv4 address rights has become a notable practice. These transfers occur between entities and sometimes across different Regional Internet Registries. Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) Explained RIRs are organizations responsible for the allocation and registration of IP …
IPv4 address transfers: Intra-RIR vs Inter-RIR explained Read More »
Why is there a Waitlist? The IPv4 Address Waitlist was created by LACNIC on 19 August 2020 when the last available IPv4 address block was allocated. Its purpose is to sequence the distribution of remaining addresses to requesting organizations. Allocation process Only organizations who have been assigned IPv6 resources can join the IPv4 address waitlist. …
Snapshot of the Waiting List Currently, over a thousand LIRs (organizations) are queued up in RIPE’s IPv4 Waiting List, hoping to receive IPv4 addresses. The wait time is significant, with some LIRs having been on the list for over a year, showcasing the high demand for these addresses. This graph above from RIPE shows the …
Why is there a Waiting List? On 24 September 2015, ARIN announced that it had issued the last IPv4 addresses from its free pool. This was a significant turning point, marking the end of readily available IPv4 addresses from ARIN’s primary reserve. Since then, organizations requiring IPv4 addresses have been directed to the Wait List …
IPv4, the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, has a cap of approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses. As the internet grew exponentially, the available pool of IPv4 addresses began to deplete rapidly. To manage this scarcity, some Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) introduced the concept of an “IPv4 waitlist.” This article delves into what this ip …
In the world of internet technology, Network Address Translation (NAT) and Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT) are two terms often thrown around. While they both aim to address the same issue of IP address shortage, there are key differences in their methodologies. To better understand their roles in internet connectivity, we’ll delve into the definitions, …
Understanding the difference between NAT and CGNAT Read More »
