Network Information Center
A Network Information Center ( NIC ) or a Domain Name Registry ( Pl. Registries ) manages one or more top-level domains in the Domain Name System . The tasks include the operation of the name server, the administration of the namespace and the operation of the Whois server with contact details of the domain owner. Registries assign domains below a top-level domain, but not directly to end customers, but via registrars . The background to this is that a market with competing registrars is opened up for the end customer ( domain registrant ). In addition to their registry tasks, some NICs also offer registrar services, for example DENIC .
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the highest authority for assigning names and numbers on the Internet. Your role has been carried out by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) since 1998 . ICANN monitors and delegates the registry tasks of the top-level domains to independent organizations. A distinction must be made between generic top-level domains (gTLD) and country-code top-level domains (ccTLD). GTLD registries receive strict guidelines from ICANN, while ccTLD registries have more freedom with reference to state sovereignty . The most influential registry is VeriSign , which operates the TLDs .com and .net , among others .
NIC examples for gTLD (generic top-level domain):
- VeriSign (for .com, .net, .cc, .name, .tv)
- Public Interest Registry (for .org)
- Afilias Limited (for .info)
NIC examples for ccTLD (country code top level domain):
- DENIC (for .de)
- SWITCH (for .ch and .li)
- nic.at (for .at)
- AFNIC (for .fr)
- ESNIC (for .es)
- EURid (for .eu)
NIC examples for nTLDs (new top-level domains):
- nicSaarland (for .saarland)
- dotBerlin (for .berlin)
There are also some Network Information Centers that see themselves as an alternative to ICANN and operate the root zone themselves. This includes OpenNIC , which copies the root zone from ICANN and adds its own top-level domains.