[AfriNIC-rpd] Re: [policy-wg] Proposed Change for allocation period

[McTim]

Hi,

Since Hisham asked for feedback n this proposal, here is my 100 Shillingi:

On 11/22/06, Adiel A. Akplogan <adiel at afrinic.net> wrote:

>                   IP addresses usage two years ahead. Further to that AfriNIC
>                   members may at the moment appear to have an unfair
>                   advantage over those in other regions. This will mean
>                   that all LIRs will plan their address space needs within
>                   the same time frames.
>

I don't see it as a bad thing that African LIRs have an advantage ;-)

>
> Introduction:
> -------------
>
> This proposal suggests that AfriNIC should start allocating/assigning enough
> IPv4 and IPv6 address space to last a member's 1 year addressing needs (as
> opposed to currently ­ 2, as is the practice)

I see this as attempt to globalise timeframes across RIRs, which is
not an important issue AFAIAC.
.
>
> Abstract:
> ---------
>
> Current IPv4/v6 policy does not explicitly mention a timeframe that AfriNIC
> requires its members to plan for when requesting
> IP address space. The practice
> however is to allocate/assign enough IP address
> space to satisfy a member's two
> year requirements. This period is shorter in most of the other regions:
>
>       LACNIC:      3 months
>       ARIN:        6 months
>       APNIC:      12 months
>       RIPE:       24 months
>

RIPE just changed to 12 months IIRC.

> Motivation:
> -----------
>
> Fairness:  Having a different allocation/assignment period could be seen as
> offering advantages to LIRs in one region over those in another. With a shorter
> allocation/assignment period, a member can only
> plan for the short term, whereas
> others will have more flexibility in terms of their planning. AfriNIC members
> may at the moment appear to have an unfair
> advantage over those in other regions.
> This will mean that all LIRs will plan their
> address space needs within the same
> time frames in all regions.

I like flexibility in planning.  I think a year may be too short a
timeframe, especially for v6.

>
> More accurate allocation based on real needs:
> With evaluation based on one year
> needs, it will be easy for LIR to precise in
> their needs statement. It will also
> contribute to speed up the evaluation process by AfriNIC's IP analysts as they
> won't have to assess too much new services which
> are not yet implemented but only
> planed (in two years period time) by the requester.
>

The downside to this is possible de-aggregation (LIR requests for 1
year, then gets huge new customer a year later, let's say they need
10x the amount of space they got the year before, so they would
probably be assigned a non-contiguous block).

> Currently there are similar proposals in the LACNIC and RIPE regions to change
> this period to one year. ARIN has also adopted a similar policy.
>
> Summary:
> --------
>
> In view of the above criteria, AfriNIC should
> allocate/assign enough IPv4 and IPv6
> address space to last a member's 1 year addressing needs.
>

If common practice is to ask for 2 year planning, but is not enshrined
in policy, then the practice can be changed  without an explicit
policy, no?

Bottom-line, I think it's fairly trivial issue, not smt to spend lots
of cycles on.  I am not in support of this proposal, but not in strong
opposition either.

-- 
Cheers,

McTim
$ whois -h whois.afrinic.net mctim