Finctionality of Internet

InterNIC

The InterNIC (Internet Network Information Center) was formed in 1993 through a cooperative agreement issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF provided initial funding for the project. In addition, the NSF provides guidelines and completes periodic reviews for adherence to project requirements

• NSF cooperative agreement Registration Services Information and Education Services Directory and Database Services Net Scout

The InterNIC consists of:

• Network Solutions, Inc. - operates the Registration Services and the Information and Education Services. The Information and Education Services includes the Net Scout, which is located at the Computer Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. AT&T - operates the Directory and Database Services.

Registration Services (managed by Network Solutions, Inc.)

Under the delegation of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the InterNIC manages registrations of second-level domain names under the following top-level domains: EDU, GOV, COM, NET and ORG.

The InterNIC also assigns blocks of IP addresses to various entities. For example, the InterNIC allocates blocks of IP addresses to Internet Service Providers, who then distribute these IP addresses to their customers.

Regional Network Information Centers such as APNIC (Asian-Pacific Network Information Center) and RIPE (Réseaux IP Européens) also receive blocks of IP addresses from the InterNIC for distribution in their regions.

Information and Education Services(managed by Network Solutions, Inc.)

Provides resources for the Internet community including:

• InterNIC News - an on-line, monthly newsletter that replaces the out-of-print "NSF Net News" newsletter.

Net Scout Services - Net Scout Services compiles current information about Internet resources and network tools. These services include The Scout Report, Net-Happenings and the Scout Toolkit.

Training Resources - for librarians, educators and others who support Internet users. Resources include the Roadmap '96, written by Patrick Crispen and sponsored by the InterNIC.

Directory and Database Services(managed by AT&T)

Provides links to Internet resources and information including:

• Directory of Directories "White Pages": WHOIS, Netfind and x.500 Internet Documentation (RFC's, FYI's, etc.) and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Information Public databases, government information and search engines