Originally published on addrex.net.

A Regional Internet Registry (RIR) is a non-profit organization whose main purposes are to manage, distribute, and register Internet number resources — including IPv4 and IPv6 number blocks and Autonomous System (AS) Numbers — within their respective regions.

There are five RIRs scattered around the globe; each is slightly different, in part, due to the laws of the country in which they operate. Although there is some similarity in their operational processes, procedures, and contractual requirements, there are significant differences in their policies and contractually specified service terms and conditions. …

Originally published on addrex.net.

What is the difference between an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address? Let’s start by defining what an IP address is. Each device or interface connected in a computer network is assigned a unique identifier to ensure it receives messages and information intended for it, much like a telephone number or a mailing address. Most networks today, including the Internet, use the Internet Protocol (IP) address defined in the TCP/IP protocol suite. …

Originally published on addrex.net.

With one more month of 2020 ahead of us, we have already witnessed a highly active IPv4 transfers market this year. According to the transfer logs (raw data) available from the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), over 40 million numbers have been transferred since January 1, 2020. About 20 million additional numbers have been updated due to company mergers and acquisitions.

Originally published on Addrex.net.

An IP number block is a group of IP numbers that have not yet been assigned to specific devices on a network; once assigned and in use, IP numbers technically become IP addresses, although many people refer to IP numbers and IP addresses interchangeably.

In the beginning, the United States government and its contractors assigned IP number blocks by class, as follows: