Using the Parser / Validator on the APNIC IPv4 ISP Request Form

This FAQ is intended to provide helpful information to users of the new APNIC ISP Address Request Parser/Validator.

If you have not submitted a request through the parser before, we recommend that you first read this FAQ and also refer to Quick tips for requesting IP addresses.

  1. What is the ISP Request Parser/Validator?
  2. How will I benefit?
  3. Will the general requirements for requesting IP addresses change?
  4. What will I need to do to ensure my request is successfully parsed and validated?
  5. What if my request will not parse after several attempts?

What is the ISP Request Parser/Validator?

The ISP Request Parser/Validator is a program that supports both e-mail and web interfaces to provide you with real time, on-line feedback when submitting an ISP Address Request Forms. The parser performs tests that reflect APNIC’s current policy requirements for ISP address requests, providing you with instant feedback on your request.

The main functions of the tool are to check the syntax of the request and its consistency with APNIC whois database requirements. Any errors encountered will need to be corrected before resubmitting the request. Requests will not reach hostmaster@apnic.net for evaluation until they are successful parsed and validated.

How will I benefit?

By automatically performing checks at the time requests are submitted, the ISP Request Parser/Validator will help you provide accurate and correct information in your ISP address request form. It will also help you to perform a check on the data you have submitted to the database by identifying inconsistent or missing APNIC Whois Database records.

ISP Request Parser/Validator will help to reduce the turnaround period for many ISP requests. Previously, APNIC Internet Resource Analysts manually checked ISP requests with a two to three day turnaround on each attempt. The ISP Request Parser/Validator can now resolve in minutes problems that used to take many days.

Will the general requirements for requesting IP addresses change?

No. All procedures and policies will stay the same.

The only change that you should notice is that when you submit your request, you may be asked to check and modify details in your request form or details registered in the APNIC Whois database before you resubmit the request.

To help you understand the procedure, view the APNIC work flow chart.

What will I need to do to ensure my request is successfully parsed and validated?

You will need to check that all of the fields are syntactically correct and that you have supplied your documentation in the format defined in the APNIC-065 ISP Address Request text document. This will be required for all the IP address ranges you currently hold. You will also need to check that you have updated all of your customer assignments into the APNIC database, and deleted the objects that are no longer valid.

We have prepared a quick checklist that you can use before your submit your request, to ensure that your request passes the Parser/Validator quickly. You can also find detailed help information about each request field from the (online guide to the ISP Request Form.

What if my request will not parse after several attempts?

If you continually receive error messages and are unsure how to fix those errors, please consult the troubleshooting guide or send the request to hostmaster@apnic.net. In the subject line, include your member account name in square brackets and the text “[NO-PARSE]”. If you do not use this format in the subject line, your email will be automatically filtered.