[apnic-talk] Address Policy SIG paper
Attached below is a draft paper titled "A proposal for establishing
minimum criterial for a first allocation of address space by APNIC"
This paper is being circulated in preparation for the upcoming
Address Policy SIG at the APNIC meeting. This paper is now available
on the APNIC meeting web site, along with all other meeting
documents at:
http://www.apnic.net/meetings
Comments and discussion on this list are very welcome.
Regards,
Anne
Manager, Member Services,
APNIC
--
DRAFT
Problem definition
A proposal for establishing minimum criteria for a first allocation
of address space by APNIC
1. Motivation
APNIC operates on an open membership basis, allowing any organisation to
become a member. It is often assumed, however, that IP address space is
automatically granted by APNIC to new members following their successful
membership application.
APNIC does not currently have well defined criteria for making the initial
allocation of address space to a new member. However, such a set of
criteria would help to ensure consistent service to new members, clarity,
and transparency.
2. Background
Hierarchical routing, otherwise known as CIDR, as described in RFC1519,
controls of the growth of the global routing table and is essential for
effectively scaling the Internet.
Under the auspices of IANA and ICANN, APNIC allocates PA address space to
its member ISPs (either directly or through an NIR). A goal of the system
of delegated RIR responsibility is to provide a framework for the
sustainable growth of the Internet. APNIC allocation policies are,
therefore, required to support 'provider based' allocations as required by
CIDR.
All APNIC documentation stresses that potential members should be aware
that applying for membership does not guarantee an allocation of resources.
However, many organisations appear to be unclear about the meaning of
APNIC's policies and the criteria for initial allocations, requesting
membership from APNIC even though their address space requirements are low.
These organisations are sent an information and membership package; of
these 13% do not return to APNIC.
APNIC spends considerable hostmaster and administrative resources in
entering into ongoing discussion with such organisations. In applying, the
applicant also experiences frustration at going through the membership
application process and then being told to request the resources from their
upstream provider.
3. Current status - RIR policies
APNIC
APNIC operates an open membership policy, such that any organisation can
become an APNIC member and can apply for allocations of Internet Resources.
This framework was derived from RIPE NCC.
Applicants for membership who apply to become members with the intention of
obtaining IP addresses are required to complete a pre-membership
questionnaire. This requires an outline of future network deployment plans
so that APNIC is able to obtain an understanding of their requirements.
Applicants that are very small and singly homed are advised to contact
their upstream providers for address space before their membership
application is processed.
The pre-membership process is aimed at discouraging potential members from
becoming LIRs if they are in the very small and singly-homed category.
However, as explained above, in many cases, as there are no fixed criteria,
membership is granted to organisations which would not qualify for address
space under the policies of ARIN.
From membership application data collected over the month until 25
September, of 34 membership applicants, 13 were asked to send more
information clarifying their requirements. Such clarifications took the
form of network diagrams and equipment listings. Three of these applicants
had requirements that amounted to less than a /24 and five planned to use
less than a /22. In total eight (23%) were rejected immediately and 13
(38%) were approved, with the remainder ongoing.
RIPE NCC
RIPE NCC also operates an open membership policy with no strictly defined
minimum first allocation criteria. This process is very similar to the
APNIC process described above.
ARIN
ARIN operates an open membership policy but does not link allocations to
membership. A separate "Registration Services Agreement" is undertaken with
organisations requiring IP address space and membership is extended free of
charge to ISP organisations receiving allocations from ARIN.
Minimum allocations (/20) are made to ISPs who are able to meet strict
allocation criteria. These criteria require that the organisation must be
multihomed and able to demonstrate that they have used a /21 from their
upstream provider. On receipt of an allocation from ARIN, the organisation
must agree to renumber from prior address space.
4. Proposal
4.1 Allocation criteria
APNIC proposes the following policy.
First allocations of address space will be made to members who are:
1) Multi-homed. AND
2) Have used a /22 from their upstream provider and can demonstrate a
detailed plan for use of a /21 within a year.
If the organisation is singly-homed or not yet connected to the Internet then:
1) They must demonstrate a detailed plan for immediate use of a /22 for
infrastructure (within three months) and a /21 within one year. In this
case, documentary evidence may be required, including purchase receipts or
orders.
AND
2) They must demonstrate a detailed plan to become multi-homed within three
months, with such plans to include peer AS numbers, contact names at the
connecting organisation, and a planned connection date.
Note that allocations under this policy will be subject to the terms and
conditions of the APNIC leasing policy, and subject to revocation if the
conditions are not met.
In either of the above cases, organisations renumbering must agree to do so
within one year of receiving their allocation.
4.2 Refund
If a member does not meet the first allocation criteria and is denied
address space within 6 months of their membership approval, they will be
able to receive a pro-rata refund (minus the start-up fee) in accordance
with the Membership Agreement clause, 25(see
http://www.apnic.net/corpdocs/MembAgree.htm)
5. Discussion
APNIC proposes to establish clear criteria for making an initial
allocation, as detailed above.
5.1 Advantages
By providing a clear framework in which a first allocation is made to a
member, both applicants and APNIC will save considerable resources.
Organisations seeking address space will also have more certainty in the
membership process.
The allocation policy will promote the aggregation and hierarchy necessary
to ensure scalable growth of the Internet.
5.2 Disadvantages
The networking characteristics of the region show that there are a large
number of small ISPs in the region. Analysis of APNIC membership categories
(which are determined by resources held) shows that out of a total of 550
members in August 2000, 406 (73%) members are in the small category which
is defined as holding less than or equivalent to a /19.
The economic downturn in the region is showing signs of abating,
nevertheless there are many ISPs that approach APNIC with very small
requirements. While some may be accepted under current policies, more may
be turned away under the new criteria. In the region, there are also
countries which may be disadvantaged due to very limited (if any) Internet
infrastructure.
For these reasons, APNIC has proposed that the requirement for immediate
utilisation of address space be set at /22 (relatively small when compared
with ARIN's requirement for ISPs to have used a /21 from their upstream
provider).
6. Conclusion
It is recommended that clearly defined criteria for the first allocation
are established as proposed above, taking into account regional and
topological considerations.
To ensure consistency in the region, there is also an expectation that the
NIRs will implement this proposal in accordance with their own policy
processes.
7. Implementation
It is proposed that APNIC implement this new policy three months after
consensus has been reached. All necessary supporting documents will be
prepared by APNIC before the implementation date. These will include
updating any necessary documentation, including request and membership
application forms. The community will be informed of the changes in policy
through the APNIC website and related mailing lists.
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