ICANN manages Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain names. It coordinates with stakeholders and organizations to assign unique addresses to every computer and website on the internet, including new domain hierarchies. ICANN operates through various bodies to ensure effective management of global assignments.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Marina Del Rey, California, tasked with handling the logistics of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain names. Created in September 1998, ICANN took over these functions previously performed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). As recently as September 2006, ICANN renewed its agreement with the US Department of Commerce (DOC) to continue in this capacity.
Every computer that connects to the Internet must have a unique address in order to send requests and receive information within the Internet. When a user accesses the Internet, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns an IP address. ISPs are assigned blocks of proprietary IP addresses for their use. The IPs they assign to their clients are pulled from these blocks.
In addition to every online computer having a unique address, every website must also have a unique address. The domain name is only used for convenience because names are easier for people to remember than a string of numbers, but each name points to a specific IP address. In the case of wiseGEEK.com, for example, the IP address is 69.93.118.236. Considering the vast number of Internet users and websites, it becomes clear that ICANN does a formidable job of managing the global coordination of this crucial aspect of the Internet.
Over time, new domain hierarchies have become necessary to answer the question. Thanks to ICANN, the standard .com, .net and .org addresses have been added, among others, by the extensions .info, .name, .tv and .museum. The travel industry has its own hierarchy with .travel and career websites may populate the .jobs hierarchy. ICANN also handles IPs assigned to government (.gov), military (.mil), and country code hierarchies (e.g., .uk).
ICANN operates through a council of stakeholders who meet regularly to discuss developing policies to better serve the needs of the Internet. It coordinates the resources of a variety of bodies within ICANN which include the Address Supporting Organization (ASO), the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), and the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (CCNSO). Input also comes from the At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), the Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC), the Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC), the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), and the Technical Liaison Group (TLG) . Each of these bodies within ICANN address specific areas necessary for effective overall management of the global assignment of domain names and IP addresses.
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