[AfriNIC-rpd] Updated Version of the "IPv4 Soft Landing Policy"now Available Online

[Andrew Alston]

> 
> Anyone that would use the space without a database update would
> do so regardless of the policy and will not update the database merely
> because we have legitimized pillaging.

Actually, I don't agree.  If you give people the legitimate means to get the
space, they have the option of doing the legitimate thing and updating the
database.  If you force them into the black market pillaging of IP space
outside of the policy (which you yourself have acknowledged may happen,
since you acknowledge the policy is unenforceable) they will not have the
option to update the database at all even if they wanted to.

> 
> This would only change the number of companies likely to pillage
> (removing the clause will increase the number) and the size of
> the organizations likely to engage in pillaging (with permission,
> much larger organizations will see less risk in doing so). In both
> cases, the pillaging would be recorded in the database.
> 

If a company grabs space for external use without being permitted to do so
through policy, and we cannot track this and enforce the policy, they cannot
update the records legitimately.

>> It will also bring the depletion dates of all the RIR's closer together,
>> which I believe is in the best interests of everyone, since the
>> normalization of depletion of the address space means people are in the same
>> boat and heading towards the same goal, the implementation of V6.  The
> 
> Respectfully, I absolutely disagree with this position. Accelerating AfriNIC's
> depletion to match the other registries is NOT in the best interests of the
> AfriNIC community.
> 

Extending the life of a dying resource and telling the African people that
its ok to wait a little longer before doing anything is far from the best
interests of the community.  We aren't dealing with technical people who
have to make the decisions, we're dealing with management types who have to
spend money.  For so many years we've been sold the line that "There is no
business case" for IPv6.  This was a delusional, the business case for IPv6
was in revenue retention not in revenue creation.  Give the management the
option to wait a little longer, to avoid spending what needs to be spent for
just a few more months, they will take it.  That I do believe, and I've seen
it time and time and time again.

> We are all in the same boat headed for the goal of IPv6 deployment either
> way. The difference is that depleting AfriNIC prematurely by exporting
> resources to other regions makes the transition that much harder in the
> AfriNIC service region. The other regions have relatively mature
> IPv4 deployments compared to AfriNIC (with the possible exception
> of LACNIC and some isolated parts of APNIC).
> 
>> extension of the space in one region leaves that region at a disadvantage in
>> the long term as it slows their transition to what would actually work in
>> the long term.  Similar in some ways to the way I would oppose handouts to
>> the African continent, which impoverishes the continent in the long term,
>> where as I would support skills transfer and development on the continent.
> 
> Again, I disagree. I think that Africans are smart enough to realize the need
> to transition to IPv6 and use their IPv4 resources wisely to facilitate that
> transition. I guess I have more faith in the people of the AfriNIC region
> than you do.
> 

I have much faith in the African people and the people of this region, if I
didn't, I wouldn't live here and try every day of my life to fight for
better net access for the people of this continent, as do so many other
people for whom I have so much respect.

> This is not a handout to AfriNIC. This is an attempt to prevent AfriNIC from
> giving a handout which it can ill afford to the other regions.
> 
I don't propose a handout, see my other policy proposal.

Anyway, this debate has raged all day now, and I believe that I have said
all can say in defense of my beliefs.  Hence, I'm going to close this off
until another day, and I hope that if you feel as strongly as I do about
these issues, you will come and debate them in Dar Es Salaam with me.  I
look forward to the opportunity to debate such issues face to face.

Andrew