APNIC: What Is It and What Does It Do?

APNIC’s central responsibility is to manage the distribution and registration of Internet number resources in its region.

These resources are essential because networks need globally coordinated identifiers to communicate and exchange traffic without addressing conflicts.

1. Allocating and Registering IPv4 Addresses

IPv4 addresses are 32-bit identifiers used by devices, servers and networks connected to the Internet.

APNIC delegates available IPv4 address space to eligible network operators according to policies developed by the APNIC community. However, APNIC’s remaining IPv4 supply is limited.

New and existing members may currently receive up to a total maximum of a /23 block, equal to 512 IPv4 addresses, from APNIC’s final 103/8 pool. Organisations needing more IPv4 space may have to consider an eligible IPv4 transfer.

IPv4 transfers are permitted under specific APNIC policies. The source and recipient must satisfy the relevant conditions, and the recipient generally needs to demonstrate a valid need for the resources.

2. Allocating and Registering IPv6 Addresses

IPv6 uses a much larger address space than IPv4 and is the long-term solution to IPv4 exhaustion.

APNIC distributes IPv6 allocations and assignments to eligible organisations. For example, an APNIC member holding an IPv4 allocation may automatically qualify for a /32 IPv6 block, while a member holding an IPv4 assignment may qualify for a /48. Larger requests must satisfy the applicable IPv6 policy criteria.

Receiving IPv6 space is only the beginning. Organisations must also plan routing, security, monitoring, DNS and deployment across their infrastructure.

3. Issuing Autonomous System Numbers

An Autonomous System Number, or ASN, identifies a network or group of networks operating under a consistent routing policy.

ASNs are commonly used with the Border Gateway Protocol, or BGP, to exchange routing information between Internet service providers, data centres, cloud networks and other independently managed networks.

An organisation may qualify for an ASN when it is multihomed or needs to interconnect with another autonomous system. It may also qualify if it can demonstrate that it will meet these conditions shortly after receiving the ASN.

What Registry Services Does APNIC Provide?

APNIC’s work extends beyond issuing number resources. It also maintains services that help operators register, manage, verify and route those resources.

APNIC WHOIS Database

The APNIC WHOIS Database is a publicly searchable registry containing information about IP address ranges and ASNs registered in the Asia-Pacific region.

A WHOIS result may show:

• the organisation responsible for an address range;
• the registered network name;
• administrative and technical contacts;
• abuse-reporting contacts;
• allocation or assignment information;
• routing-related objects; and
• reverse DNS information.

Resource holders are responsible for maintaining accurate information in their records. This information helps other operators troubleshoot network problems, identify responsible contacts and investigate suspicious activity.

NRS.Help also provides a more detailed explanation of the APNIC WHOIS Database and how its records work.

Registration Data Access Protocol

The Registration Data Access Protocol, or RDAP, is a modern protocol for retrieving registration information.

RDAP offers structured responses, standardised queries, referral capabilities and improved support for internationalised registration data. It can direct a query to the appropriate registry when the requested resource is managed elsewhere.

WHOIS remains widely used, but RDAP is generally easier for software applications to process because its responses follow a consistent, machine-readable format.

Resource Public Key Infrastructure

APNIC supports the Resource Public Key Infrastructure, commonly known as RPKI.

RPKI connects Internet number-resource information to a cryptographic trust framework. Resource holders can create Route Origin Authorisations indicating which ASN is authorised to originate a particular IP prefix.

Network operators can use this information for Route Origin Validation. This helps identify invalid route announcements and reduces the risk of some routing mistakes and route-hijacking incidents.

RPKI does not guarantee that every Internet route is safe. It provides verifiable information that networks can use when making routing decisions.

Internet Routing Registry

The APNIC Internet Routing Registry is part of the globally distributed IRR system.

Network operators publish routing policies and route objects in an IRR so other networks can use that information for filtering, network planning and router configuration. The APNIC Routing Registry can also help operators investigate routing problems and document authorised routing relationships.

An IRR route object and an RPKI Route Origin Authorisation serve related but different purposes. Operators often use both as part of their routing-security procedures.

Reverse DNS

APNIC manages reverse DNS delegations for the IPv4 and IPv6 address space it administers.

Reverse DNS translates an IP address back into a hostname. APNIC delegates the relevant reverse DNS zones to resource holders, who can then configure their own PTR records.

Reverse DNS is frequently used in email systems, logging, troubleshooting, security reviews and network administration.

Training and Technical Support

APNIC also provides technical training, research, conferences, operational assistance and community programmes.

Training topics include IPv6, BGP, routing security, DNS, network security and Internet-resource management. These programmes help network operators build the technical capacity needed to deploy and manage Internet infrastructure.

How Are APNIC Policies Developed?

APNIC does not create resource policies solely through internal management decisions.

Its Internet number-resource policies are developed through a bottom-up process involving the regional Internet community. Interested participants can discuss proposals through mailing lists, remote participation and Open Policy Meetings.

A proposal normally moves through several stages:

1. The proposal is submitted and discussed before an Open Policy Meeting.
2. The community discusses it during the meeting.
3. Participants determine whether consensus has been reached.
4. A final comment period follows.
5. The APNIC Executive Council considers endorsement.
6. The APNIC Secretariat implements an endorsed policy.

Participation is not limited to APNIC employees or large Internet service providers. Anyone with an interest in Internet number-resource management may participate in the Policy Special Interest Group.

This process affects practical matters such as IPv4 eligibility, IPv6 delegation, transfers, ASNs and resource registration.

How Does APNIC Membership Work?

Organisations that need Internet number resources for networks operating in the Asia-Pacific region may apply for an APNIC account and membership.

Members may receive benefits such as:

• access to eligible IP address and ASN services;
• management of resources through MyAPNIC;
• reverse DNS services;
• RPKI resource certification;
• technical assistance and training;
• participation in APNIC policy discussions; and
• voting rights at APNIC Member Meetings.

APNIC has seven membership tiers: Associate, Very Small, Small, Medium, Large, Very Large and Extra Large.

A member’s tier is generally determined by its chargeable IPv4 or IPv6 holdings. If it holds both, APNIC assesses them separately and applies the higher resulting tier. Voting entitlements also vary by tier.

Membership and resource fees can change over time. Applicants should therefore confirm the latest sign-up, annual, ASN and transfer fees directly from APNIC’s current fee schedule rather than relying on an older article.

How Do You Get IP Addresses from APNIC?

The exact process depends on the type and amount of resources required.

A typical application involves the following steps:

1. Confirm the correct registryThe organisation should operate a network in the APNIC service region or otherwise satisfy APNIC’s regional eligibility requirements.
2. Determine the required resourceDecide whether the network needs IPv4 addresses, IPv6 addresses, an ASN or a combination of these resources.
3. Check the policy criteriaApplicants must satisfy the relevant eligibility and utilisation requirements. For example, an initial IPv4 applicant may need to show current use or immediate need for a /24 and a detailed plan to use a /23 within one year.
4. Prepare supporting informationThis may include legal-entity documents, network diagrams, existing address holdings, utilisation plans, upstream-provider details and routing information.
5. Submit the applicationAPNIC reviews the request under the policies in effect at that time.
6. Pay the applicable feesApproved applicants must pay the relevant account, membership or resource fees.
7. Configure and maintain the resourcesAfter approval, the organisation should keep registration contacts current and configure routing, RPKI, reverse DNS and other operational records where applicable.

For a more detailed application walkthrough, see NRS.Help’s guide to getting an APNIC IP address.

Can APNIC Stop Spam, Hacking or Other Network Abuse?

APNIC can help users identify the registered network and relevant contact information associated with an IP address. However, APNIC normally cannot investigate or stop abuse occurring on that network.

APNIC is not:

• the Internet service provider operating the address;
• the hosting company responsible for the server;
• a law-enforcement agency;
• an Internet-content regulator; or
• the organisation controlling global routing for that address.

A reference to APNIC in a WHOIS or RDAP result means the address falls within number space administered through the APNIC registry system. It does not mean APNIC operates the network or caused the activity. Abuse complaints should normally be sent to the network’s registered abuse or technical contact.