[apnic-talk] Address Policy Meeting - discussion paper
The following paper is being sent to apnic-talk at apnic dot net in preparation
for the upcoming Address Policy SIG at the APNIC Open Policy meeting.
Discussion and feedback on this list is welcome.
Title: "Separate Assignment Policies for ISPs and End-Users"
Author: Izumi Okutani, JPNIC
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Separate Assignment Policies for End-Users and ISPs
Background
Currently, there are two types of network which global addresses are
assigned: ISPs' network and end-users' network.
As you can see from the definition below, they are used for quite
different purposes.
-End-users' network: Network constructed for the end-users' own use
-ISPs' network: Network constructed to provide service to end-user's
customers
As a result of the difference in their purpose, the attributes are
also quite different:
Attributes of End users' network
-In most cases, requires global address for their servers: their
number is unlikely to change drastically within a year.
-It will be used for their own network: easier to make a realistic
and accurate estimation.
-Doesn't require a large number of global addresses: even for a very
large company, the number of network equipment that requires a
global address can only be so much.
Attributes of ISPs' network
-ISP's network is constructed for their end users' and not for their
own use: network topology depends on the number of end-users they
have.
-Requires a large number at once: at least two digits
However, under the current policy, the same assignment policy of
"assignments based on 1 year's estimation" applies to both end users' and
ISPs' and networks despite the difference in their purpose and attributes.
Having the same policy for these two different types of network leads to
the problems described in the next section.
Therefore, I would like to propose making a separate assignment policy for
ISPs' networks, i.e. assess their needs on the actual usage rather than
one year's estimate,
Problems with the current assignment policy It is not realistic to make
assignments on one-year's needs for ISPs' networks for the following
reasons:
-From the fast changing nature of the internet business, there a higher
chance of actual needs not matching the initial estimation: You never
know if the services they are providing will still be on the market after
a year, and it is difficult to make an accurate estimation of the needs
for ISP's network, even for those who are doing the business themselves
-The numbers they request are large; a greater number of global
addresses will be wasted if the needs were overestimated.
-Consistency between ISPs: ISPs which request for allocation will
have their needs assessed on approximately three months basis, while
those which request for address assignment will have their needs
assessed on one year span.
Proposal
Make a separate policy for assignments for ISPs' networks: do not
assess its needs on 1 year's estimation, but on the actual usage.
Here is the current practice at JPNIC:
Assignment for existing services
We make assessments based on the needs they had in past one year, and
approve what a hostmaster considers appropriate. This may not necessarily
be the amount of address expected to be required in one year.
The information that we base our judgment varies depends on the service
and the details are listed below:
Dial-up services
We make assessments based on the following information:
-The increase in the number of equipment and PRI: 3months/6 months/1
year
-User: address ratios
-The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
-The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly
basis
By asking for monthly record and estimate, we are able to see the trend in
the increase of customers and see if their estimate is realistic.
Furthermore, the monthly estimate allows us to make more fine judgment to
meet its needs for a particular duration.
Cable services
We make assessments based on the following information:
-User: address ratios
-The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
-The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly
basis
-List of current customers
Hosting services
-User: address ratios
-The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
-The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly
basis
-List of current customers
Please note that there may be other source of reference if the information
listed above is not appropriate to see the needs of that particular
network.
Assignment for new services
For new services, we do ask for the monthly estimate for one-year, but
since it has no past records, it is difficult to see if their estimation
is realistic.
Therefore, we approve the amount of address to meet their immediate needs,
and then ask them to make a request again when their needs exceeds this
block.
We judge the "immediate needs" by looking at various references such as
their monthly estimate, asking what they consider is reasonable and in the
case of dial-up services, by the equipment they would have purchased at
the time of the start-up, etc. This depends on the case, so it is
difficult to give a reference that applies to all cases.
By the time they make the second request, they would be able to provide us
with more information on the number of customers for the service, so we
would have more evidence to base our judgment, and may give approval for
more long term needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
-Assignment based on the actual use, not estimation.
-Allows more fine assessment.
Cons
-May be difficult to draw the line between ISPs and end-users' networks
in some special cases
Conclusion
Having a separate policy for ISP assignments based on the actual usage,
and not on 1 year's estimate will lead to more efficient use of the
address, and match the current practice.
Izumi Okutani, JPNIC
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