Who Regulates Domain Hosting Sites?

Internet Protocol is the main communications protocol used to relay data across the Internet.

The demand for domain names has risen remarkably in recent years as more companies embrace e-commerce. The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, is a nonprofit organization started in 1998. It is responsible for monitoring and regulating domain hosting sites. It does this using various tools.

Domain Name System (DNS)

Domain Name System is a naming system that is built on a distributed database for computers and other devices connected to the Internet. Through the Domain Name System, it is now possible to assign domain names to a number of groups of Internet resources and users regardless of the physical location of the user. Internet domain names are used because they are easier to remember compared to a string of numbers, such as an IP address. The Domain Name System also stores other types of information such as lists of mail servers that accept email from given Internet domains.

Internet Protocol (IP)

Internet Protocol is the main communications protocol used to relay data across the Internet. When an Internet user logs onto the Internet, his Internet service provider assigns him an IP address. Websites are also assigned IP addresses. The main functions of an IP address are to address hosts and sending data packets from a source host to the destination host. This may be passed through a number of IP networks. The addresses are important because they identify the host.

Autonomous System (AS)

Autonomous System is a collection of connected IP routing prefixes that are controlled by one or more network operators. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, or IANA,) assigns autonomous system numbers in blocks to the regional registries. There are three types of autonomous systems, namely multihomed, stub and transit autonomous systems. The Multihomed autonomous system supports a connection to more than one other autonomous system; the Stub autonomous system supports a connection to only one other autonomous system, while the Transit autonomous system supports a connection through itself and other networks.

Registrars and Registries

Regional Internet registries, or RIRs, are assigned autonomous system numbers. The appropriate registry then assigns autonomous system numbers to registrars. Registrars are smaller companies, which are contracted and accredited by the ICANN. They are assigned autonomous system numbers by regional Internet registries after they complete the application process of their local registry and are approved.

References

• ICANN: What Does ICANN Do?
• Search Unified Communications: Internet Protocol (IP)