Short for Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, an organization working under the auspices of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) that is responsible for assigning new Internet-wide IP addresses.
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Home page of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the central coordinator for the assignment of unique parameter values for internet protocols. This site offers an overview, announcements, assignments, administration, and an application form.
Jon Postel PreText magazine article (March 1998) with insight into the inner workings of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. The article focuses on Jon Postel, who operates the IANA.