What is RIPE NCC?

19 February 2023

RIPE NCC – (Réseaux IP Européens) is a nonprofit organization that manages IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. As one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), it helps maintain internet stability, security, and efficient resource distribution.

Stats

  • Founded: 1992
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Service Region: 76 countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia
  • Members: Over 20,000 organizations, including ISPs, governments, and corporations

In Short

RIPE NCC oversees the allocation of IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia as one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).

Following IPv4 depletion, RIPE NCC has implemented transfer policies and promotes IPv6 adoption while managing remaining IPv4 resources.

Beyond allocation, RIPE NCC offers critical services such as Whois database management, technical coordination, and educational initiatives to support the internet community.

There are five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs): AFRINIC (Africa), APNIC (Asia-Pacific), ARIN (North America), LACNIC (Latin America and Caribbean), RIPE NCC (Europe and MENA)

The five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) responsible for allocating and managing Internet resources: AFRINIC, APNIC, ARIN, LACNIC, and RIPE NCC

Regional Internet Registries

RIPE NCC is one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) responsible for allocating and managing Internet resources. They are broken up into different regions:

  • AFRINIC – Africa
  • APNIC – Asia-Pacific
  • ARIN – North America
  • LACNIC – Latin America and Caribbean
  • RIPE NCC – Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East

These registries ensure the efficient and fair distribution of IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) to maintain global Internet connectivity.

Service Regions

  • Europe: Includes all European countries.
  • Middle East: Covers countries in the Middle Eastern region.
  • Central Asia: Includes parts of Central Asia.

Core Functions and Services of RIPE NCC

Resource Management

RIPE manages the allocation of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, along with ASNs, across its service region. Since IPv4 exhaustion, it has enforced strict transfer policies and strongly advocates for IPv6 adoption to ensure fair and efficient resource distribution. Registry and Database Services

RIPE NCC maintains vital registry services, including:

  • Whois Database: A public directory providing details on IP address assignments and routing information.
  • RIPE Database: A comprehensive record of network resource allocations and assignments.
  • Internet Routing Registry (IRR): Ensuring transparency and supporting network security.

Technical and Security Services

RIPE NCC provides essential technical support, including:

RIPE collaborates with stakeholders to develop policies governing IP allocation and offers educational initiatives for Internet governance.

Focus Areas

RIPE prioritizes internet stability, security, and transparency within its jurisdiction. Key initiatives include:

  • Routing Security: Strengthening the integrity of internet routing through RPKI.
  • Community Education: Offering technical training and educational programs to enhance understanding of network management and security.
  • Internet Governance: Actively participating in policy discussions to shape the future of internet resource management.
  • IPv4 & IPv6 Transition: Facilitating the transfer and efficient use of remaining IPv4 addresses while encouraging IPv6 adoption.

IPv4 and IPv6 Management

Since declaring IPv4 exhaustion, RIPE has focused on managing existing resources efficiently. It offers a waiting list for reclaimed IPv4 addresses and supports an active transfer market to meet ongoing demand. Meanwhile, the organization continues to advocate for the adoption of IPv6 to ensure long-term internet growth.

Registration Services

RIPE provides authoritative and comprehensive registration services, including the allocation, assignment, and transfer of essential internet number resources:

  • IPv4 addresses
  • IPv6 addresses
  • Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)

Regional Internet Registries play role in managing the registration of IP addresses and ASNs within its service region is conducted with a high level of professionalism and dedication to serving the community’s diverse needs. This ensures a structured and efficient oversight of internet number resource distribution, essential for maintaining the robustness and reliability of global internet infrastructure.

Geographic Territory of RIPE NCC, a Regional Internet Registry

The Geographic scope of RIPE-NCC

History of RIPE NCC

The need for structured IP management emerged in the 1990s, leading to the establishment of RIPE NCC in 1992. Since then, it has played a crucial role in Internet governance, evolving alongside technological advancements:

  • 1992 – RIPE NCC is established as the first Regional Internet Registry (RIR) to coordinate IP address distribution in Europe.
  • 1997 – Introduced the RIPE Database as a publicly accessible registry of IP address allocations and assignments.
  • 2002-2005 – RIPE jurisdiction evolved with the formation of LACNIC (2002) and AFRINIC (2005), refining its service region.
  • 2008 – Implemented IPv6 allocation policies to encourage adoption amid IPv4 depletion concerns.
  • 2010 – Launched Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) to improve routing security.
  • 2011 – Final /8 policy activated, began strict rationing of remaining IPv4 addresses.
  • 2012 – Officially announced exhaustion of its general IPv4 allocation pool, moving to the last /8 policy.
  • 2015 – Established inter-RIR IPv4 transfer policies, allowing organizations to transfer addresses between regions.
  • 2019 – Declared complete exhaustion of IPv4, with only recovered and reclaimed addresses available via waiting list.
  • 2020 – Strengthened IPv6 deployment initiatives and expanded training programs on IPv6 adoption.
  • 2022 – Introduced stricter anti-abuse policies and enhanced database accuracy efforts to combat fraudulent IP address registrations.
  • 2024 – Increased focus on security with expanded RPKI adoption and improved Internet Routing Registry (IRR) services.

The Future of RIPE NCC

With the depletion of IPv4, RIPE NCC actively promotes IPv6 adoption and manages resource transfers to ensure sustainability. Through its technical services, registry management, and policy leadership, RIPE NCC continues to be an essential pillar of Internet stability and security.

Conclusion

RIPE NCC is a cornerstone of internet infrastructure, serving far beyond an IP address registry. It functions as an essential governing body of the internet. Through its services, transparent policies, and active community engagement, RIPE NCC ensures the stable and secure evolution of the internet. For ISPs, network operators, and organizations reliant on internet resources, understanding RIPE NCC’s role is key. As the internet continues to evolve, RIPE NCC’s resource management and regional development makes it crucial in shaping future connectivity.

◼️

RIPE NCC FAQ

You can request IP addresses or ASNs by applying through their website. Eligibility depends on demonstrated need and compliance with RIPE NCC’s policies. If resources are unavailable, you may join the waiting list or acquire addresses through the transfer market.

RIPE NCC enhances routing security through services like RPKI, which helps prevent IP address hijacking and route leaks. It also maintains databases such as the Internet Routing Registry (IRR) to facilitate transparent and secure network operations.

The RIPE NCC transfer market allows organizations to buy, sell, or lease IPV4 addresses. Transactions must comply with transfer policies to ensure proper documentation and resource legitimacy. RIPE NCC also offers a waiting list for organizations needing IPv4 addresses that become available through recovery or returns.

Other Popular Blog Posts

Washington State Receives Bids on 77% of BEAD Locations

Washington State Granted $1.2 Billion in BEAD Funds

IPv4 Sales Demand Feb 2025

February Showing Strong IPv4 Demand Driven by BEAD

Texas Awards $545 Million in Broadband Grants

Texas Awards $545 Million in Broadband Grants

Information for IPv4 addresses ranging from a /24 up to /12s

Get a Free Consultation

Contact Us Today