[AfriNIC-rpd] Policy Proposal (Global): IANA Policy for Allocation of ASN Blocks to RIRs

[vincent at kenic.or.ke]

The AfriNIC PDP-MG received the following policy proposal from Andrew de
la Haye from the RIPE NCC region. The policy proposal is a prospective
global policy as it has already been submitted in all the other RIR's. In
accordance with the AfriNIC Policy Development Process, the proposal is
being posted to the AfriNIC Resource Policy Discuss (RPD) Mailing List.
The proposal will also be placed on the AfriNIC website as a policy
proposal under discussion.

In line with the AfriNIC PDP, the AfriNIC community is now invited to
review and discuss this policy.

The AfriNIC Policy Development Process can be found at:
http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-pdp200707.htm

AfriNIC Mailing Lists subscription information can be found at:
http://www.afrinic.net/mailinglist.htm

Regards,

Vincent Ngundi
Chair, PDP-MG

############ IANA Policy for Allocation of ASN Blocks to RIRs ###########

Name:               Andrew de la Haye (andrew at ripe.net), Stacy Hughes
(ipgoddess.arin at gmail.com)
Organisation:
Policy Affected:    IANA Policy for Allocation of ASN Blocks to RIRs
(afpol-asn200708)
Date:               27 May 2009
Proposal:           Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Policy for
Allocation of ASN Blocks (ASNs) to Regional Internet Registries (Global
Policy proposal)

Summary of proposal:

According to the current global policy (afpol-asn200708), IANA will cease
to make any distinction between 16-bit and 32-bit only ASN blocks by 31
December 2009, when making allocations to RIRs. This proposal is to extend
this date by one year, to 31 December 2010.


Policy text

Current Policy Text (in current afpol-asn200708):

1. Allocation Principles

IANA allocates ASNs to RIRs in blocks of 1024 ASNs. In this document the
term "ASN block" refers to a set of 1024 ASNs. Until 31 December 2009,
allocations of 2-byte only and 4-byte only ASN blocks will be made
separately and independent of each other. This means until 31 December
2009, RIRs can receive two separate ASN blocks, one for 2-byte only ASNs
and one for 4-byte only ASNs from the IANA under this policy. After this
date, IANA and the RIRs will cease to make any distinction between 2-byte
only and 4-byte only ASNs, and will operate ASN allocations from an
undifferentiated 4-byte ASN allocation pool.




http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-asn200708.htm


New Policy Text:

1. Allocation Principles

IANA allocates ASNs to RIRs in blocks of 1024 ASNs. In this document the
term "ASN block" refers to a set of 1024 ASNs. Until 31 December 2010,
allocations of 16-bit and 32-bit only ASN blocks will be made separately
and independent of each other [1].

This means until 31 December 2010, RIRs can receive two separate ASN
blocks, one for 16-bit ASNs and one for 32-bit only ASNs from the IANA
under this policy. After this date, IANA and the RIRs will cease to make
any distinction between 16-bit and 32-bit only ASNs, and will operate ASN
allocations from an undifferentiated 32-bit ASN allocation pool.




1.
16-bit ASNs are the AS Numbers in the range: 0 - 65535
32-bit only ASNs are the AS Numbers in the range: 65536 - 4294967295
32-bit ASNs are the AS Numbers in the range: 0 - 4294967295

Rationale:
a. Arguments supporting the proposal

Due to operational issues external to the IANA/RIR policy process, 32-bit
only ASNs are not being issued by the RIRs at the anticipated rate.  As it
stands, RIRs will likely not be able to justify a new block of ASNs from
the IANA after 31 December 2009 due to a glut of free 32 bit only ASNs in
the RIR’s pool.  This leaves available, essential 16-bit ASNs stranded in
the IANA free pool.  This proposal seeks to remedy the potential problem
by extending the deadline for differentiation by one year.

With this proposal the policy will be aligned with the actual reality in
regards to 32-bit ASN deployment and usage.

b. Arguments opposing the proposal

Some may think that extending the previously set timeline can be perceived
as some discouragement for the deployment of 32-bit ASNs. One counter
argument to this is that RIRs and Internet community have some other
mechanisms and activities to raise awareness for 32-bit ASN pool (via
public presentations and trainings). These activities will continue while
16-bit ASN blocks are still allocated to RIRs by the IANA as they are
available and they are needed.

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