IANA Database (IANA – Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) – is a historical name the central TLDs database of top level domains, which is of fundamental importance in view of Internet operations, as it contains a list of generic TLDs ( for e.g.: .com, .org, .net), and national TLDs such as e.g.: .pl (Poland), .de (Germany) or .fr (France). The registry is operated by ICANN in accordance with the terms of contract concluded with the US Government. Recently the question of supervision over the said registry has been widely debated over by some UN Member States, and by the US Government, in the context of Internet management worldwide.

The NASK-developed “e-IANA” system allows for automated root zone management worldwide, observing the highest safety requirements. The software itself was developed by a team of NASK programmers in September 2005, thoroughly tested and enthusiastically approved of by the Internet community, especially by the members of CENTR (Council of European National Top-Level Registries).

ICANN is now planning the further development the “E-IANA” software. All the modifications ever made in its source code will be publicly announced, as the software itself has been provided by NASK as an open source application. This approach will guarantee the transparency of all processes related to the worldwide Internet management.

The software has been developed using the state-of-the-art software production standards and processes (Rational Unified Process, ISO 12207 and ISO 9001). Currently, NASK and ICANN are negotiating the terms of their service agreement and further development of the software.

The choice of “e-IANA” software is a token of international recognition for NASK as one of the most technologically advanced and best organised registries of Internet domains, as well as manifestation of confidence in the quality provided by Polish information technologies.

For ICANN’s press release, please visit: http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-05jul06.htm.