Asia Pacific Network Information Centre

Operating IP addresses and related resources in the Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) is one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIR) currently operating around the world. The not-for-profit, member-based organisation provides allocation and registration services, which support the operation of the internet globally. Its members include Internet Service Providers, National Internet Registries, and similar organisations. APNIC represents the Australian-wide and international market comprising of 56 economies, and is responsible for distributing and registering Internet address resources throughout the region. Along with the Internet community, APNIC helps ensure responsible management of Internet address resources and reliable operation of the Internet.

The resources and services that APNIC provides include Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers (both IPv4 and IPv6), Autonomous System (AS) numbers, and ‘inaddr.arpa’ reserve DNS delegations. Additional services are offered to APNIC members including training, education and regional networking activities.

APNIC’s operating policies are formed by community consensus in open processes, which include discussions on public mailing and at APNIC’s twice-yearly Open Policy Meetings.

APNIC was first formed in Tokyo and relocated to Brisbane in 1998. Since 2003, APNIC has joined with other RIRs to form the Number Resources Organisation, which exists to protect the unallocated Number Resources pool, to promote the bottom-up policy development process into the RIRs system. By 2006, more than 1200 organisations were members of APNIC. It continues to expand its service in the development of an Internet resources certification service.

Last updated by Alexandra Fox (2009-10-23)