What is the RIPE NCC?

• RIPE NCC, the Regional Internet Registry for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia, manages internet number resources across 75 countries.
• With over 20,000 members, RIPE NCC ensures transparency through a public database, offering services like the LIR Portal and Resource Certification to support local internet registries.
• Despite IPv4 depletion in 2012, RIPE NCC remains a vital contributor to global Internet governance discussions, emphasizing its enduring significance in resource management.

The Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre manages internet number resources in its service region.

Curious to know more about its roles and responsibilities? Keep reading.

Brief introduction to RIPE NCC

RIPE NCC, the Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre, functions as the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Europe, the Middle East, and certain parts of Central Asia.

With a core emphasis on the allocation of Internet number resources, RIPE NCC plays a pivotal role in managing and maintaining a registry that encompasses all allocated Internet number resources within its designated service region.

Also read: What is APNIC? Inside the backbone of Asia’s internet

Role and functions of RIPE NCC

RIPE NCC serves a critical role as the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for over 75 countries, encompassing Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. Facilitating the distribution and management of internet numbers, including IPs and ASNs, RIPE NCC operates through a network of Local Internet Registries (LIR) within each country. With over 20,000 organizations as part of the RIPE community, these LIRs allocate numbers and provide essential administrative support locally.

One of RIPE NCC’s primary functions is maintaining a public database that details the assignment of number blocks, ensuring transparency and accessibility. Additionally, the organization publishes a comprehensive list of all entities receiving allocations, offering insights into the entire RIPE community.

RIPE NCC’s diverse service portfolio includes the LIR Portal, providing local registrars access for administrative tasks, and Resource Certification (RPKI) for confirming internet resource ownership. The RIPE Database serves as a crucial resource for public access to allocation information. DNS Services support the delegation of reverse DNS zones, contributing to the stability of the DNS infrastructure.

The organization also operates RIPE Atlas, offering real-time internet mapping tools, and the IPv4 Transfer Listing Service, facilitating the exchange of unused IPv4 address space. RIPE NCC organizes biannual RIPE Meetings, fostering collaboration and engagement among RIPE associates.

In summary, RIPE NCC plays a central role in the equitable distribution and management of internet numbers across its extensive service region, promoting transparency, stability, and collaboration within the RIPE community.

Also read: RIPE internet registry faces losses, needs to increase fees, but how?

RIPE NCC’s contributions to the internet

RIPE NCC actively participates in external consultations and engages with various governmental and intergovernmental organizations involved in Internet governance.

As a responsible member of the multistakeholder community, RIPE NCC provides valuable contributions to shape and influence policies and proposals related to the Internet.

The organization’s involvement in consultations reflects its commitment to fostering an open, inclusive, and collaborative Internet model.

Also read: Professor Li Xing: The challenges of IPv4 and IPv6 in China

Pop quiz

What is the primary role of RIPE NCC in the context of internet governance?

A. Hosting domain names

B. Facilitating the distribution and management of internet numbers

C. Providing web hosting services

D. Managing social media platforms

The answer is at the bottom of this article.

History of RIPE NCC

1990: RIPE NCC traces its roots to September 1990, marking the inception of its administrative duties.

1992: However, it formally became a Regional Internet Registry (RIR) in April 1992.

1998: As an open forum, RIPE welcomes anyone to participate, supporting RIPE administratively and engaging in executive board elections. Despite their legal separation since 1998, RIPE NCC and RIPE maintain a close collaborative relationship.

Participation in RIPE’s activities is open to all through mailing lists. Members, including ISPs and corporations, pay a sign-up fee and an annual fee.

2012: Functioning as an RIR, RIPE NCC distributed both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Notably, it depleted its IPv4 pool in 2012, limiting allocations to redistributed IPv4 addresses. Despite this challenge, RIPE NCC continues to play a crucial role in managing and allocating internet resources in its region.

We’re an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the infrastructure of the Internet through technical coordination in our service region.

RIPE Network Coordination Centre

RIPE NCC’s membership

“We’re an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the infrastructure of the Internet through technical coordination in our service region.” – RIPE Network Coordination Centre

The RIPE NCC comprises its members, an Executive Board, and a management team. Membership is open to organizations and individuals registered with a Regional Internet Registry (RIR). Most members, including ISPs, telecommunications organizations, corporations, academic institutions, and government bodies, can request provider-aggregatable IP addresses and AS Numbers. The organization had 11,115 members in 76 countries by the end of 2014.

Membership benefits include attending RIPE Meetings, participating in the Policy Development Process, and using certain RIPE NCC services. While membership is not required for some activities, it is essential for requesting IP addresses, attending General Meetings, providing feedback on the Activity Plan, accepting the Charging Scheme or Financial Report, and voting for the Executive Board.

Members pay a sign-up fee and an annual fee, with benefits including training courses, LIR Portal account access, and free tickets to RIPE Meetings.

The correct answer to the pop quiz is B. Facilitating the distribution and management of internet numbers.