RIPE NCC
 | |
| Type: | Independent, Non-Profit |
| Headquarters: | Singel 258 1016 AB Amsterdam |
| Country: | The Netherlands |
| Employees: | 116 (2009)[1] |
| Website: | http://ripe.net |
| Key People | |
| Axel Pawlik, Managing Director Paul Rendek, Head of External Relations & Communications Daniel Karrenberg, Chief Scientist Andrew de la Haye, Chief Operations Officer Jochem de Ruig, Chief Financial Officer | |
The Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) is the RIR for Europe, the Middle East, and parts Central Asia. The main focus of RIPE is fostering the Internet's technical development for the region it represents. It does this specifically by providing Internet resource allocations, registration services and coordinating activities for the region.[2]
The organizations most important tasks include:
- Distribution and registration of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and Autonomous System (AS) Numbers
- Operating the RIPE Database
- Operating the K-root server cluster, one of the world’s 13 root name servers
- Coordinating the RIPE community[3]
RIPE NCC is not to be confused with RIPE, a related but independent collaborative forum.
History
Membership
Most of the organization's members are ISPs and telecommunications organizations, but other members include corporations, academic institutions and government bodies. At the end of 2009, RIPE NCC has 6,583 members in 76 countries.
There is a sign-up fee for joining RIPE NCC, after which members must pay an annual fee dependent on their size.[4]