Introduction
In modern times, the Internet enables people to contact individuals almost anywhere in the world, send and receive emails in minutes, and make various purchases. The role of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is to maintain a complex, unified network of unique identifiers that allow computers on the Internet to find each other. Accordingly, ICANN guarantees public access to and safe use of the Internet. Thus, it is essential to summarize the main characteristics and functions of ICANN.
The Key Takeaways
It is significant to note that the abbreviation ICANN stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Furthermore, ICANN is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 to regulate the Internet space (Pandey et al., 2022). The corporation was created to coordinate the unique identifiers, that is, domains and IP addresses, which allow individuals to find sites on the Internet. Initially, the organization that controlled the distribution of IP addresses and top-level domains and coordinated the allocation of protocol parameters was the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). The organization appeared in 1988 and played a crucial role in managing Internet resources. Since the founding of the ICANN in 1998, the IANA has reported to the ICANN and continues to be responsible for coordinating the essential elements of the continuity of the Internet (Pandey et al., 2022). That is, the foundation tasks of the organization are to oversee the DNS, assigns IP addresses, and assign parameters to the Internet protocols. ICANN’s purpose is to coordinate the domain name system’s work and support the Internet’s smooth operation.
In addition, ICANN works together with several different support organizations, each representing a specific section of the Internet. Generally, there are three organizations that support ICANN: the domains authority, the organization responsible for IP addresses and the senior country-level domain managers. Moreover, ICANN also consists of four committees that advise the corporation (Pandey et al., 2022). ICANN also has a technical cooperation group that works with the companies that create the underlying protocols for Internet technologies.
ICANN’s Role in the Internet Infrastructure
Through the Domain Name System (DNS), people can access the Internet. Computers identify each other and transmit data using a series of numbers, that is, IP addresses. Every site on the Internet is on some physical device, a computer, or a server, and they have an IP address. In order to gain access to a site, it is required to know the IP address of the device on which the site resides (Pandey et al., 2022). Since the IP address consists of long and complex numbers that are difficult to remember, a system of domain names was created, which links the domain to the IP address. Each IP address has a letter name, and all identifiers are unique.
Accordingly, ICANN coordinates the system of domain names and makes sure that the IP addresses and domains are unique, ensuring that each domain is associated with the correct IP address. Moreover, to contact another user on the Internet, individuals need to enter the appropriate address on their computer: a name or number (Pandey et al., 2022). This address should be unique for computers to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers worldwide; without this, there would be no global Internet. Consequently, the organization provides access to Internet sites for its users.
Conclusion
Therefore, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Addresses and Numbers (ICANN) plays a crucial role in Internet governance. It also coordinates, at the global level, the unique identifiers used on the Internet to ensure its secure and sustainable operation. ICANN coordinates the allocation and assignment of unique identifiers for the Web, including domain names, IP addresses, autonomous system numbers, port numbers, and other characteristics. Development of the system of root servers DNS and the development of policies aimed at implementing the above functions. This allows people to use the Internet every day for their needs.
Reference
Pandey, N., Dé, R., & Ravishankar, M. N. (2022). Improving the governance of information technology: Insights from the history of Internet governance. Journal of Information Technology, 37(3), 266-287. Web.