RIPE NCC
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]
 | |
| 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 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
RIPE NCC was established on September 16th, 1990, to deal with administrative tasks for RIPE, although it was not formally established and recognized until 1992. RIPE NCC did not become a separate legal entity until 1998. Although the two organizations are legally independent today, they remain highly interdependent. RIPE NCC supports RIPE by facilitating RIPE meetings and providing support for RIPE working groups. RIPE NCC maintains the RIPE database, a public database containing registration details of the IP addresses and AS numbers originally allocated to members by the RIPE NCC.[4]
Membership
Organizations and individuals must become members of their regional RIR in order to request large amounts of IP addresses and AS Numbers, or when they plan to assign them to End Users or customers.[5] 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.[6]
Organizational Structure
The Executive Board
The executive board, which consists of five people, is elected by the members of RIPE NCC. Their duties are to represent the membership and provide guidance to RIPE NCC's senior management team, approve the RIPE NCC's Activity Plan and Budget, appoint the RIPE NCC management, and call General Meetings. They are responsible for the overall financial position of the organization, and are to keep up-to-date records of RIPE NCC's financial situation. The Executive Board delegates all operational decisions relating to the Standard Service Agreements to the management staff.[7]
The current Executive Board members are:
- Nigel Titley, Chairman (May 2010-May 2013)
- Remco van Mook, Treasurer (May 2010-May 2013)
- Andreas Wittkemper, Secretary (May 2008-May 2011)
- Dmitry Burkov, ICANN Liaison (May 2009-May 2012)
- Fahad AlShirawi, Member (May 2008-May 2011)
Members of the Executive Board serve a 3-year term.[8]
Staff
The duties of the staff are to