ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the Internet's global domain name system. ICANN was formed in 1998, the rationale behind the creation of this group was that it was important to establish a central figure which could not only determine but also enforce Internet and Internet domain rules, regulations, and policies. ICANN has played, and continues to play, an essential role in the creation and maintenance of the Internet.
ICANN is responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) and the unique assignment of:
- Internet domain names;
- Numerical IP Addresses;
- Protocol Port Identifier Assignments;
- DNS Root Server Systems
