Abstract: The instant application describes a central registry computer system comprising a) a network interface configured for communication via a network; b) a processing unit configured to receive a plurality of transactions over the network via the interface, each transaction containing a request either (1) for registering an IP Unit representing a IP Number or (2) for transacting the IP Unit, wherein the IP Number enables relay of network packets between devices connected on an IP network; c) a storage device accessible by the processing unit; and d) executable instructions stored in the storage device for the processing unit. The instructions configure the system to: receive over the network a registration request from a first party device to register the IP Unit representing the IP Number in a central database of IP Units and register in the central database of IP Units the IP Unit against a unique central registry ID associated with the first party device.