Local Internet Registry
Encyclopedia
A local Internet registry (LIR) is an organization that has been allocated a block of IP address
es by a regional Internet registry
(RIR), and that assigns most parts of this block to its own customers. Most LIRs are Internet service provider
s, enterprises, or academic institutions. Membership in an RIR is required to become an LIR.
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
es by a regional Internet registry
Regional Internet registry
A regional Internet registry is an organization that manages the allocation and registration of Internet number resources within a particular region of the world...
(RIR), and that assigns most parts of this block to its own customers. Most LIRs are Internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
s, enterprises, or academic institutions. Membership in an RIR is required to become an LIR.