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[AfriNIC-rpd] IPv4 Soft Landing Policy

Scott Leibrand scottleibrand at gmail.com
Sun May 16 19:06:27 UTC 2010


On Sun 5/16/2010 1:14 AM, Douglas Onyango wrote:
> Hello Scott,
> Thanks for the inputs.....Comments inline
>
> >It's unclear to me what happens if there remain smaller blocks 
> outside the last /8 at the point a (large) request cannot be met.  For 
> example, AfriNIC might have a /17, /19, /22, and four /24s left, when 
> it gets a request for a /16 that it cannot meet.  At that point, the 
> policy says that "During the exhaustion phase, the following 
> allocation and assignment policy for the last /8 IPv4 address  will be 
> used:", but doesn't specify whether addresses outside the last /8 will 
> also be allocated in this way.  Perhaps it would be best to simply 
> strike "the last /8", leaving something like "During the exhaustion 
> phase, the following allocation and assignment policy for IPv4 address 
> will be used".  That would also cover any reclaimed space from outside 
> the last /8.
> >
>
> The proposal as is only caters for the /8 - there is general argument 
> that the policy tries to do very many things at the same time, but i 
> am personally ok with taking care of address space other than /8 when 
> that time comes. This however is the foundation on which this policy 
> is built hence calling of a fundamental change in overall direction. 
> wonder what everyone else thinks......
>

As SM mentioned, the text in Summary (i) applies to all allocations, not 
just to those in the last /8.  If you want the space outside the last /8 
to continue being allocated normally, while allocating using the new 
rules out of the last /8, you could leave that text unchanged, but 
strike "This will be the last IPv4 address space request that AfriNIC 
will accept from any LIR in the Current Phase", leaving just "AfriNIC 
will declare that the Exhaustion Phase has begun at this point."

I think either solution would be appropriate, but the current text seems 
to leave the remnants outside the last /8 orphaned and unable to be 
allocated under either method.

> >You might want to specify conditions for exiting the exhaustion phase 
> someday (when sufficient space has been reclaimed and/or IPv4 demand 
> has dwindled).
> >
>
> It's my thinking that at this point everyone should have moved to IPv6 
> hence there shouldn't be any need for addressing space bigger than 
> what the exhaustion phase can provide
>

Perhaps.  I guess we can always change the policy later as it becomes 
clearer what the likely outcome will be.


> >It's unclear to me how many times an existing LIR can come back for 
> address space in the exhaustion phase.  The Summary section's mention 
> of 4 allocations seems to apply to everyone, but under Allocation 
> Criteria for Existing LIRs it doesn't mention that like it does for 
> New LIRs.
> >
>
> The Paragraph on Exhaustion phase clearly states 4 allocations......I 
> am editing  Existing LIRs to explicitly mention.....as below:-
>
> An existing LIR may receive a maximum of four (4) address blocks 
> according to the allocation size in effect at the time of allocation 
> in the AfriNIC region. However, the address blocks shall be issued one 
> at a time.
>
> >
> And some minor nits:
> >
>
> Yes, the definition of LIR was adopted from existing documentation --- 
> i have edited the definition....to:-
>
> A Local Internet Registry (LIR) is an Internet Registry (IR) that 
> receives allocations from an RIR and assigns address space to 
> customers who use it's services. LIRs are generally ISPs and their 
> customers are end-users and possibly other ISPs. LIRs must be members 
> of an RIR like AfriNIC; which serves the Africa Region and part of the 
> Indian Ocean (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles).
>
> Is this better ?
>

Yes, thanks.  Replace it's with its if you want to follow the obscure 
and inconsistent rules of proper English grammar.  :-)

> >You might want to have the definitions for "Existing LIR" and "New 
> LIR" simply reference the LIR definition rather than repeating the 
> "defined
> >
>
> Noted, adopted
>
> >You should probably replace all instances of "LIR's" that are plural 
> and not possessive with "LIRs".
> >
>
> Noted, adopted
>

Thanks,
Scott

>
> --- On *Fri, 5/14/10, Scott Leibrand /<scottleibrand at gmail.com>/* wrote:
>
>
>     From: Scott Leibrand <scottleibrand at gmail.com>
>     Subject: Re: [AfriNIC-rpd] IPv4 Soft Landing Policy
>     To: rpd at afrinic.net
>     Date: Friday, May 14, 2010, 9:20 PM
>
>     Douglas,
>
>     I'll hold off for now on expressing a position on the overall
>     issue of whether rationing IPv4 space in this manner is an
>     improvement over current AfriNIC policy.  There are good arguments
>     on both sides, and the question of where to strike the balance
>     depends a lot on the characteristics of the Internet market in
>     Africa, which I don't understand all that well, being from outside
>     the region.
>
>     The text looks good overall.  A few comments:
>
>     It's unclear to me what happens if there remain smaller blocks
>     outside the last /8 at the point a (large) request cannot be met. 
>     For example, AfriNIC might have a /17, /19, /22, and four /24s
>     left, when it gets a request for a /16 that it cannot meet.  At
>     that point, the policy says that "During the exhaustion phase, the
>     following allocation and assignment policy for the last /8 IPv4
>     address will be used:", but doesn't specify whether addresses
>     outside the last /8 will also be allocated in this way.  Perhaps
>     it would be best to simply strike "the last /8", leaving something
>     like "During the exhaustion phase, the following allocation and
>     assignment policy for IPv4 address will be used".  That would also
>     cover any reclaimed space from outside the last /8.
>
>     You might want to specify conditions for exiting the exhaustion
>     phase someday (when sufficient space has been reclaimed and/or
>     IPv4 demand has dwindled).
>
>     It's unclear to me how many times an existing LIR can come back
>     for address space in the exhaustion phase.  The Summary section's
>     mention of 4 allocations seems to apply to everyone, but under
>     Allocation Criteria for Existing LIRs it doesn't mention that like
>     it does for New LIRs.
>
>     It appears that there is no time limit on how frequently a New LIR
>     can come back for space.  You may well have them getting a /23,
>     using it immediately, and coming right back for another block. 
>     You might want to at least make sure that AfriNIC reserves the
>     entire contiguous /21 for them, to avoid extra routes in the table.
>
>     And some minor nits:
>
>     I noticed an apparent contradiction in the definition of LIR: "A
>     Local Internet Registry (LIR) is an Internet Registry (IR) that
>     receives allocations from an RIR and primarily sub-allocates or
>     assigns address space to 'end-users'. LIRs are generally ISPs.
>     Their customers are other ISPs and possibly end-users." 
>     Specifically, "primarily sub-allocates or assigns address space to
>     'end-users'" seems to conflict with "Their customers are other
>     ISPs and possibly end-users."  It looks like you inherited that
>     definition from AFPUB-2005-v4-001, but it might be worthwhile to
>     clarify that while we're at it. :-)
>
>     You might want to have the definitions for "Existing LIR" and "New
>     LIR" simply reference the LIR definition rather than repeating the
>     "defined as being an organization that assigns address space to
>     'end-users'" part.  So, for example, "An existing LIR is an LIR
>     that has already been assigned or allocated IPv4 address space by
>     AfriNIC."
>
>     You should probably replace all instances of "LIR's" that are
>     plural and not possessive with "LIRs".
>
>     -Scott
>
>     On Wed 5/12/2010 10:18 AM, Douglas Onyango wrote:
>>     Hello all,
>>     I am presenting the latest version of the proposal for your
>>     review in preparation for the the face-to-face meeting that is a
>>     couple of weeks away.
>>     Your input in required
>>
>>     ==================================================================
>>     Your Name: Douglas Onyango
>>     Your Organisation: Delta IT Solutions
>>     Policy Afected: AFPUB-2005-v4-001
>>     Date: 27-11-09
>>
>>     Proposal: IPv4 Soft Landing Policy
>>
>>     Incentive
>>     ------------
>>     In order to ensure a smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6, the
>>     lifespan of IPv4 can be increased in order to give network
>>     operators more time to make the transition. This document
>>     proposes a strategy for allocation and maintenance of AfriNIC's
>>     final /8 block of IPv4 from IANA.
>>
>>     Background
>>     ---------------
>>     Following the much anticipated IPv4 pool exhaustion, a global
>>     policy, "Global Policy for the Allocation of the Remaining IPv4
>>     Address Space", has been ratified. The policy ensures that IANA
>>     reserves one (1) IPv4 /8 address block for each RIR. Details of
>>     the Global Policy for the Allocation of the Remaining IPv4
>>     Address Space can be found at:
>>     http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-v4gp200802.html.
>>     This policy (IPv4 Soft Landing) applies to the management of
>>     address space that will be available to AfriNIC under this Global
>>     Policy
>>     The purpose of this document is to ensure that this last block is
>>     used in a manner that is acceptable by the AfriNIC community.
>>     Policy Documents to be affected:
>>     --------------
>>
>>     (a) IPv4 Allocation Policy
>>     http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-v4200407-000.htm
>>     (b) Proposal to Change the Allocation & Assignment Period to 12
>>     months http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-af200611.htm
>>     Definitions
>>     --------------
>>     (a) Local Internet Registry (LIR)
>>
>>     A Local Internet Registry (LIR) is an Internet Registry (IR) that
>>     receives allocations from an RIR and primarily sub-allocates or
>>     assigns address space to 'end-users'. LIRs are generally ISPs.
>>     Their customers are other ISPs and possibly end-users. LIRs must
>>     be members of an RIR like AfriNIC; which serves the Africa Region
>>     and part of the Indian Ocean (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and
>>     Seychelles).
>>
>>     (b) Existing LIR�s An existing LIR is defined as being an
>>     organization that assigns address space to 'end-users' and who
>>     has already been assigned or allocated IPv4 address space by AfriNIC.
>>
>>     (c) New LIR�s A new LIR is defined as being an organization that
>>     assigns address
>>        space to 'end-users' and who is a member of AfriNIC but has
>>     not been assigned or
>>        allocated any IPv4 address space prior to the Exhaustion phase.
>>
>>     Summary
>>     ------------
>>     This proposal describes how AfriNIC shall allocate and manage
>>     IPv4 resources from the last /8 block of IPv4 address allocated
>>     by IANA at the time of total depletion of the IANA IPv4 address
>>     free pool.
>>     (i) Current Phase:
>>
>>     During this phase, AfriNIC will continue allocating IPv4
>>     addresses to the LIR's using the current allocation policy
>>     http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-v4200407-000.htm. This
>>     phase will continue until a request for IPv4 address space from
>>     any LIR to AfriNIC either cannot be fulfilled with the IPv4
>>     address space available in the AfriNIC pool (with the exception
>>     of the last allocated /8 address block from IANA) or can be
>>     fulfilled but leaving the AfriNIC IPv4 address pool empty (with
>>     the exception of the last allocated /8 address block from
>>     IANA).This will be the last IPv4 address space request that
>>     AfriNIC will accept from any LIR in the Current Phase, AfriNIC,
>>     will declare that the Exhaustion Phase has begun at this point.
>>     (ii) Exhaustion Phase:
>>
>>     During the exhaustion phase, the following allocation and
>>     assignment policy for the last /8 IPv4 address will be used:
>>     a) Instead of the /22 block (1024) addresses allocated in the
>>     current policy, the new minimum allocation size of /24 (256
>>     addresses) will be allocated to any LIR that qualifies for IPv4
>>     resources -  /23 (512) will be the maximum allocation size
>>     possible and  even though LIRs may request for more than this,
>>     LIRs will not be  able to get more a /23 in a single allocation 
>>     - they also will not get more than 4 allocations once the
>>     Exhaustion phase has began.
>>
>>     b) Together with the v4 allocation, AfriNIC shall allocate an
>>     IPv6 address block in compliance with the current IPv6 allocation
>>     policy
>>     (http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-v6200407-000.htm) to
>>     the LIR (in case it doesn't have any).
>>     The current allocation and assignment period of 12 months shall
>>     be changed to 8 months. This will help to ensure that LIRs
>>     request only for resources they need in the short to medium term,
>>     and promote fairness in the equitable distribution of the last
>>     IPv4 address pool.
>>     Allocation Criteria
>>     ---------------------
>>     a) Existing LIR's
>>
>>     At the time of the first IPv4 allocation made during the
>>     exhaustion phase, AfriNIC shall also allocate an IPv6 address
>>     block in compliance with the current IPv6 allocation policy
>>     (http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/afpol-v6200407-000.htm) to
>>     the LIR. In order to receive additional IPv4 allocations in the
>>     exhaustion phase, the existing LIR must have used at least 90% of
>>     all previous allocations.
>>     b) New LIR's
>>
>>     Each New LIR will receive IPv4 addresses which they can use for
>>     supporting legacy IPv4 services to ensure their full presence on
>>     the IPv4 Internet during the transition to IPv6. The following
>>     will apply:
>>     Upon application, a New LIR may receive a maximum of four (4)
>>     address blocks according to the allocation size in effect at the
>>     time of allocation in the AfriNIC region. However, the address
>>     blocks shall be issued one at a time.
>>     In order to receive additional IPv4 allocations, the New LIR
>>     should have used at least 90% of the previous allocations from
>>     the exhaustion phase.
>>     New LIRs may apply for and receive this allocation once they meet
>>     the criteria to receive IPv4 address space according to the
>>     policy in effect at the time.
>>     IPv4 Address Space Reserve
>>     ---------------------------------
>>     A /12 IPv4 address block will be in reserve out of the last /8
>>     pool. This /12 IPv4 address block shall be preserved by AfriNIC
>>     for some future uses, as yet unforeseen. The Internet is
>>     innovative and we cannot predict with certainty what might
>>     happen. Therefore, it is prudent to keep this block in reserve,
>>     just in case some future requirement creates a demand for IPv4
>>     addresses.
>>
>>     When AfriNIC can no longer meet any more requests for address
>>     space from the  last /8 pool because the pool is either empty or
>>     has no more contiguous blocks, the board will based on the demand
>>     and other factors at the time exercise the prerogative to
>>     replenish the exhaustion pool from the reserve pool in a manner
>>     that is in the best interest of the community.
>>
>>     AfriNIC resources are for the AfriNIC geographical region. None
>>     of these resources can be used outside of the AfriNIC region. All
>>     LIR's requesting resources must have operations in Africa and all
>>     of the allocations shall be used to support the LIR's African
>>     Operations.
>>     ==================================================================
>>
>>     Regards,
>>     Douglas Onyango +256(0712)981329
>>     Life is the educators practical joke in which you spend the first
>>     half learning, and the second half learning that everything you
>>     learned in the first was wrong.
>>
>>
>>
>>     _______________________________________________
>>     rpd mailing list
>>     rpd at afrinic.net
>>     https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/rpd
>>        
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