--- title: "IANA, ICANN functions and IP address role" subject: "Internet and Intranet" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/internet_and_intranet:iana-icann-ip-role" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/iana-icann-ip-role site: BCT Engineering --- # IANA, ICANN functions and IP address role Internet and Intranet · Chapter 1: Introduction - Asked in: 2071 Bhadra, 10 marks - Video: [What you need to know about IANA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5j25nmZKY) — ICANN - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/iana-icann-ip-role - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/chapter-1 ## Question What are the functionalities of IANA and ICANN? Explain the role of IP address for internet access. ## Short answer IANA manages global IP/AS pools, DNS root zone, and protocol parameters. ICANN coordinates unique identifiers, accredits registrars, and develops domain policies under a multi-stakeholder model. An IP address uniquely identifies a device, enables routing, and is essential for internet connectivity; DNS maps names to addresses. ## Answer #### Functions of IANA The **Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)** maintains the central records that must be unique worldwide. Its functions are: 1. **Number resources:** keeps the global pool of IPv4, IPv6 and AS numbers and allocates blocks to the Regional Internet Registries. 2. **Domain name system (root zone):** manages the root zone of the DNS, including adding or changing top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .np and .org, and the .int and .arpa domains. 3. **Protocol parameters:** keeps registries of values used by protocols, such as port numbers, protocol numbers, MIME types and URI schemes, in coordination with the IETF. #### Functions of ICANN The **Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)** is a non-profit organisation (founded 1998, California) that oversees IANA's work and coordinates the Internet's naming and addressing systems. 1. Coordinates the unique identifiers of the Internet: domain names, IP addresses and protocol parameters. 2. Develops policy for generic TLDs (gTLDs) and introduces new TLDs. 3. Accredits domain name registrars and registries and enforces contracts with them. 4. Supports the security, stability and resilience of the DNS and the root server system. 5. Provides dispute resolution rules (UDRP) for domain name conflicts. 6. Works with a multi-stakeholder community (governments, technical community, industry, users). Since 2016 the IANA functions are performed by a subsidiary, PTI, with oversight by the global community instead of the US government. #### Role of IP address for Internet access An IP address is the logical address that identifies a device's connection to a network. - **Identification:** each host on the Internet needs a unique address so that data can be sent to it. - **Location (routing):** the network part tells routers where to forward a packet, so packets reach the correct network. - **Host-to-host delivery:** every packet carries a source and a destination IP address, so the receiver knows where to send the reply. - **Access:** to browse the Internet a user gets a public IP (or a private IP translated by NAT) from the ISP, usually through DHCP. - **Name resolution:** users type names such as www.example.com; DNS converts the name to an IP address. Example: a student's laptop gets 192.168.1.20 from a home router; the router's public address 202.79.x.x is the address seen on the Internet. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which set lists the three main functions of IANA? A. Accrediting registrars, UDRP dispute resolution, building routers B. Number resources, DNS root zone management, protocol parameter registries C. Writing RFCs, running DHCP, hosting websites D. Selling domain names, issuing TLS certificates, routing BGP Answer: B. IANA keeps the global pool of numbers, manages the root zone (TLDs) and keeps protocol parameter registries such as port numbers. (Key point: IANA functions) 2. Which is a function of ICANN? A. Assigning IP addresses to home users B. Carrying backbone traffic C. Accrediting domain name registrars and registries and enforcing contracts, with gTLD policy and UDRP dispute rules D. Standardising Wi-Fi Answer: C. ICANN oversees naming and addressing, develops gTLD policy, accredits registrars and provides UDRP dispute resolution. (Key point: ICANN functions) 3. How does the IP address enable packets to reach the right network? A. The host part tells DNS which server to use B. The network part tells routers where to forward the packet C. It encrypts the packet D. It tells the ISP the user's name Answer: B. The network part of the address gives location information used by routers for forwarding. (Key point: IP address as routing locator) 4. A laptop has 192.168.1.20. How does it access the Internet? A. Private addresses are routed directly across the backbone B. It must register that address with APNIC C. DNS converts it to a public address D. The router's public IP (given by the ISP, often via DHCP) is used through NAT Answer: D. A private IP is translated by NAT to the router's public address seen on the Internet. (Key point: Private IP and NAT) ## Related in Internet and Intranet - [VLSM preventing IP address loss](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Avlsm-prevents-ip-loss) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 2 - [Ecosystem components and IANA registries](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Aecosystem-components-iana-registries) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 1 - [xDSL access technologies and types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Axdsl-technologies) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 7, asked 3× - [TCP/IP applications; IPv4 vs IPv6 routing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Atcpip-application-ipv4-ipv6-routing) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 2 - [VoIP and IP interconnection definitions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Avoip-ip-interconnection-define) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 7 - [VoIP and IP interconnection; VoIP operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Avoip-ip-interconnection-operation) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 7 ## Related in other subjects - [Report on internet access for students](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Areport-internet-access-students-committee) — Communication English, chapter 9 - [Why IP address when MAC exists](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Amac-vs-ip-address) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 4 - [NTA functions; IP switching structure](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Anta-functions-ip-switching) — Telecommunications, chapter 7 - [IP and soft switching for PC-to-PSTN calls](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aip-soft-switching-skype-pstn) — Telecommunications, chapter 8