Downstream Allocations by LIRs A Proposal

Address Policy SIG APNIC14, Kitakyushu, Japan 5 Sept 2002

Definitions

• Allocation – A pool of address space held by an IR for subsequent redistribution • Not yet used to address any networks • Assignment – Address space used to address an operational network • May be provided to LIR customers, or used for an LIR’s infrastructure (‘self-assignment’) • Is not redistributed further

Background and Problem

• Current policy only allows LIRs to

assign

address space – Assignments should not be sub-assigned • In practice, LIRs do

allocate

– Needs formal policy recognition if practice is to continue • Whois v3 database software – Database migration made policy conflict now visible

Other RIRs

• ARIN – Members/subscribers able to allocate • LACNIC – Members able to allocate • RIPE NCC – LIRs are currently only able to assign • Proposal to allow ‘sub-allocations’ being presented at next meeting

Proposal – Policy Framework

• To permit LIRs to make allocations – Downstream allocations are non portable • Maintains aggregation – All assignments and allocations must be registered in APNIC/NIR database – ‘Status’ value for downstream allocations is ‘allocated non-portable’ – Second opinion process • Includes allocations (and assignments) above LIRs ‘assignment window’

Proposal – Policy Framework

• Measuring ‘utilisation’ – Downstream allocations will be counted as ‘used’ • 80% ‘used’ currently measures only assignments • Only LIRs can allocate – Downstream allocations pose risks to management of address space • Risks greatly increased if multiple levels of allocations permitted

Effects of Proposal

• Database registrations – May decrease quality and quantity of end-user database assignments • APNIC/NIR relationship is with LIR only, not with those receiving allocations • Utilisation – Trade off with actual utilisation as address space may not be ‘in use’ but is counted as ‘used’ • APNIC/NIR may ask for documentation on larger allocations

Utilisation Trade-Off

Allocation by APNIC /20 Allocations and assignments by LIR to customers Assignment by downstream to customer /21

+

/22

+ + +

= 80% Address space in use is much less than 80% +

Implementation

• Three months after consensus – To allow time to modify software, documentation etc • Requests will be accepted and processed immediately

Questions?

• Proposal and slides at • http://www.apnic.net/meetings/14/sigs/policy/