[AfriNIC-rpd] AS4 / 32bit ASN's

[Ronald Nsubuga]

Hello Andrew,


>
> So, what I want to know is, is AfriNIC currently warning people who apply
> for 32bit ASN's that at current, there is precious little hardware that
> supports them, and the chances are, if you get one today, you're gonna be
> back begging for a 16bit ASN the moment you try and use it?
>


I think it clearly states that as of 1st January 2009 if your DON'T
indicate OR specifically request for a 2-byte only AS then AfriNIC
will automatically give you a 4-byte ASN.


> I mean, lets look at the current situation, and I have to admit this is
> looking specifically at Cisco kit since its what we use (and a lot of other
> people I might add!):
>
> No AS4 support as of yet for 7200, 7600, I don't know about GSR or CRS-1
> (maybe in IOS-XR?), though the fact is, I'd be curious to know how many of
> AfriNIC's members are running stuff the size of GSR or CRS anyway
>
> I'm also pretty sure there is no AS4 support in a LOT of the other
> manufacturers.
>
> Also makes life interesting when you are trying to figure out where your
> traffic is flowing from/two when you have to go and look at each individual
> prefix because you cant look at the ASN, because everything is on 23456....
>
> Not saying the policy to default is wrong, I don't object to it, I mean,
> routers that dont support 32bit ASN's can still see the prefix's originated,
> but I do think there need to be very clear warnings to anyone who applies
> for these ASN's at the moment as to what the risks are...


This is true may be it's an opportunity to the AfriNIC region to
revise the policy OR obsolete it BUT if that is not done the policy is
valid and will be implemented that way unless when we revise the
transition mechanism between the two of which am sure what about the
procedure.

>From the vendors point of view they are working on having it
implemented in all platforms hopefully by 2010 will have something on
the table as long as it's implemented in the widely used equipment.


-- 
Regards,

Ronald Nsubuga,
skype: nsptash

"I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble"