The Internet is a collection of autonomous and interconnected networks that implement open protocols and standards. No single person, government or organisation owns or controls the Internet or the World Wide Web. There are, however, a number of organisations and bodies – both international and national – which regulate, monitor, make recommendations or set guidelines covering issues such as infrastructure, domain registration, web technologies, content and accessibility.
A non-profit organization called ISOC (Internet Society) has some control over the future of the Internet. It appoints a technical advisory group called the IAB (Internet Architecture Board) to evaluate and set standards.
Input on protocols and standards can come from anybody – individuals, research groups, companies and universities. A specification is submitted as an Internet draft and made available for review and comments. Various Internet organizations evaluate whether these specifications should be advanced – through a process that may elevate the specification through different levels until it potentially reaches a ‘standards’ status.
In general, the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) forms working groups to develop specifications, which are evaluated by the IESG (Internet Engineering Steering Group) in conjunction with the IAB. ISOC then publicizes the new standards. Web standards are promulgated by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and other groups.
Activity – Internet Organisations – Introductory Research
W3C (World Wide Web Consortium)
W3C develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software and tools) for the Web. Its goal is to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web.
The W3C is an international industry consortium founded in October 1994 to develop common protocols that promote the evolution of the World Wide Web and ensure its interoperability.
Services provided by the Consortium include: a repository of information about the World Wide Web for developers and users; reference code implementations to embody and promote standards; and various prototype and sample applications to demonstrate use of new technology.
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
The IETF is a large open international community of network designers, operators, vendors and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet. The actual technical work of the IETF is done in its working groups which include Applications, Internet, Network Management, Operational Requirements, Routing, Security, Transport and User Services. Working groups are managed by members of the IESG. The IAB provides architectural oversight. The IETF also facilitates technology transfers from the IRTF to the wider Internet community. It is open to any interested individual.
ISOC (Internet Society)
The ISOC is an international organization which promotes global cooperation and coordination for the Internet and its internetworking technologies and applications. ISOC approves appointments to the IAB from nominees submitted by the IETF Nominating Committee. ISOC membership is open to any interested person
IAB (Internet Architecture Board)
The IAB is a technical advisory group of the ISOC (Internet Society). Its responsibilities are to appoint a new IETF chair and IESG candidates, serve as an appeal board, manage editorial content and publication (RFCs) and provide services to the Internet Society.
IESG (Internet Engineering Steering Group)
The IESG is chartered by ISOC to provide technical management of IETF activities and the Internet standards process. The IESG manages the IETF working groups and is directly responsible for the actions associated with entry into and movement along the Internet ‘standards track’ including final approval of specifications as Internet standards.
IRTF (Internet Research Task Force)
The purpose of the IRTF is to promote research of importance to the evolution of the future Internet by creating focused, long-term and small research groups working on topics related to Internet protocols, applications, architecture and technology. Participation is by individual contributors rather than by representatives of organizations. The IRSG manages the research groups and holds workshops that focus on the evolution of the Internet and discuss research priorities from an Internet perspective.
W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) – Web Accessibility Initiative
WAI develops – guidelines which are widely regarded as the international standard for Web accessibility and support materials to help understand and implement Web accessibility through international collaboration.
Web Standards Project
The Web Standards Project persuades vendors to follow standards to ensure accessibility for all.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation formed in September 1998 that has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain name system management and root server system management functions.
IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority)
The IANA is the authority originally responsible for the oversight of IP address allocation, the coordination of the assignment of protocol parameters provided for in Internet technical standards, and the management of the DNS, including the delegation of top-level domains and oversight of the root name server system.
InterNIC (Internet Network Information Center)
Nominet
Nominet UK is the .uk domain name registry in the United Kingdom