With the contract for administering the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority set to expire in September 2011, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is wondering whether some IANA functions need modification.

IANA, operated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers since 2000, is the organization that oversees global Internet protocol address allocation and is responsible for domain name system root zone management.

In a notice of inquiry printed Feb. 25 in the Federal Register (.pdf), the NTIA says it's looking for feedback on possibly significant changes to IANA.

"For example, does the coordination of the assignment of technical protocol parameters need to be done by the same entity that administers certain responsibilities associated with root zone management?" the notice asks.

Commenters are also asked to comment on whether, in light of cybersecurity concerns, should there be changes to how root zone management request for country code top-level domains are processed.

The notice also asks for comment on whether IANA should be contractually required to follow polices developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force, regional Internet registries and country code top level domain operators.

In addition, the inquiry asks for feedback on performance metrics, process improvements and additional security considerations. Comments are due no later than on March 31.

For more:
- download the NTIA NOI on IANA (.pdf)

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