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    5. .arpa

    Search For .arpa Domain

    Type
    Infrastructure top-level domain
    Operator
    Internet Architecture Board (IAB)
    Launched
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Not supported
    Second-level Domains
    .e164.arpa.home.arpa.in-addr.arpa.ip6.arpa.iris.arpa.uri.arpa.urn.arpa

    About .arpa domain

    .arpa is a legacy infrastructure top-level domain (TLD) managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) under the joint oversight of the Internet Architecture Board and ICANN. It was originally delegated in 1985 as a temporary domain to facilitate the transition from the ARPANET to the modern Domain Name System. Its purpose was redefined in 2000, and it is now exclusively used to support operationally-critical Internet infrastructure services.

    Who can register .arpa domain

    Domain registrations within the .arpa TLD are not possible for the general public or commercial entities. The TLD is a closed infrastructure space where new subdomains are rarely and selectively added. Subdomains are created only through the Internet Engineering Task Force's Request for Comments (RFC) process to serve specific technical functions. The TLD is restricted to use for defined Internet infrastructure purposes, such as reverse DNS lookup and parameter discovery.

    How to register .arpa domain

    This TLD is not issued through commercial registrars or a public registration process. New subdomains of .arpa are allocated through a formal technical standards process. Proposals for new infrastructure subdomains are developed within the Internet Engineering Task Force and documented in RFCs. The Internet Architecture Board provides guidelines, and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) performs the operational administration to delegate these subdomains. The outcome is a new, technically-defined namespace used for core Internet operations.

    Typical uses of .arpa domain

    The .arpa TLD is used exclusively for technical network infrastructure management. Its most common use cases are reverse DNS lookups for mapping IP addresses to domain names, facilitated by the in-addr.arpa and ip6.arpa subdomains. Other subdomains support functions like telephone number mapping (e164.arpa), service discovery, and residential networking (home.arpa). It is chosen for these purposes because it provides a stable, dedicated namespace defined by Internet standards for critical infrastructure operations.

    Tips for registering .arpa domain

    • The TLD does not offer public domain name registration; all subdomains are allocated for specific infrastructure purposes defined by RFCs.
    • There are no registration terms, renewal policies, or transfer rules applicable, as it is not a registrable namespace for end-users.
    • WHOIS privacy, premium domains, and typical registrar add-ons are not concepts that apply to this infrastructure TLD.
    • New subdomains are created infrequently and only through the IETF standards process to address emerging technical needs.

    Frequently asked questions about .arpa domain

    Who operates .arpa domain?The registry for .arpa domains is Internet Architecture Board (IAB).
    Who can register a .arpa domain?

    The .arpa TLD is not available for registration by individuals, companies, or organizations. It is a closed infrastructure domain where subdomains are created only to fulfill specific technical functions defined in Internet standards. Eligibility to request a new subdomain is limited to the technical community working through the Internet Engineering Task Force's RFC process, and such requests must justify a critical Internet infrastructure need.

    Can I transfer a .arpa domain between registrars?

    As .arpa is an infrastructure TLD with no public registrations, the concept of inter-registrar domain transfer does not apply. Subdomains like in-addr.arpa are delegated by IANA based on technical requirements and are not owned or managed by commercial registrars in a way that would allow transfers. Management of these zones is handled by IANA in cooperation with the technical community under established operational procedures.

    What is the purpose of the `in-addr.arpa` and `ip6.arpa` subdomains?

    These subdomains are used for reverse DNS lookup, which maps IP addresses back to domain names. The in-addr.arpa zone is used for IPv4 addresses, while ip6.arpa is used for IPv6 addresses. This function is critical for many network services, including email spam filtering, logging, and network troubleshooting. The structure of these zones is defined by Internet standards to ensure global interoperability.

    Can an organization request a specific subdomain under .arpa for its own use?

    No, organizations cannot request custom subdomains for private or commercial use. The creation of any new subdomain under .arpa requires an Internet Standard, typically an RFC, that defines a technical infrastructure need for the entire Internet. The process is managed by the IETF and IANA, and proposals are evaluated based on their technical merit and operational necessity for the global network infrastructure.

    How are disputes over .arpa subdomains handled?

    Dispute policies like UDRP do not apply, as .arpa subdomains are not registered commodities. The allocation and management of subdomains are governed by technical standards and operational procedures set by the IETF and IANA. If a technical conflict or operational issue arises, it would be resolved within the relevant IETF working group or through the IANA administration process, not through trademark or commercial dispute mechanisms.