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prop-021-v001: Expansion of the initial allocation space for existing 
               IPv6 address space holders
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Proposed by:    Tomohiro Fujisaki, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone 
                Corporation/JPNIC Policy WG Chair
                <fujisaki@syce.net>
Version:        1.0
Date:           4 August 2004




Introduction:

I propose making it possible for existing IPv6 address holders with
the initial allocation address space to expand their address space
without clearing the subsequent allocation requirement.

This proposal has reached a consensus at JPNIC Open Policy Meeting.

 

Summary of the current problem:

In the past, many of the organizations had requested for the minimum
allocation size(/32) as an initial allocation due to the following
reasons:

 + Based on the idea of the "slow start" in IPv4 policy, many
   organizations believed it would be difficult to justify all of their
   address requirements at an initial allocation.

 + It was difficult to estimate their needs as IPv6 network was not
   commercially developed. Many organizations requested for address
   space for a test service in order to kick off the commercial
   service, not for the commercial service itself.

 + `PROVISIONAL IPv6 ASSIGNMENT AND ALLOCATION POLICY DOCUMENT'
   specified the initial allocation size as /35. LIRs which received
   allocations under this policy were only allowed an upgrade of
   their allocations to a /32.

In recent days, most of the ISPs learned that /32 space is too small
for the real scale service deployment if they cover their existing
IPv4 users.

Organizations currently requesting for initial allocations can simply
request for a larger space as the RIRs actively emphasize to their
communities that they are able to request for allocations greater than
/32, which is already a common practice.

However, ISPs with the default address space need to design the IPv6
service network within the small space untill they clear the
subsequent allocation requirement (HD-Ratio) for more address
space. This makes the real IPv6 service deployment difficult,
especially for large ISPs.




Situation in other RIRs:

none.



Details of your proposal:

Existing IPv6 initial allocation address holders should be able to
expand their address space without satisfying subsequent allocation
criteria if they are able to demonstrate their concrete plan. The same
criteria should apply as organizations requesting for an initial
allocation larger than /32.

This proposal does not intend to change the current policy but to
apply the current allocation practice to existing IPv6 address
holders.


If it is possible to expand the address space under the current
policy, it is desirable to be documented clearly (e.g. in the
guidelines document).




Advantages and disadvantages of adopting the proposed policy:

Advantages:

Existing IPv6 address holders will be possible to start their services
under up-to-date situation.


Disadvantages:

none




Effect on APNIC members:

The expanded address space would be considered in the assessment of
the APNIC membership tier of the organization, on the renewal of their
membership.



Effect on NIRs:

NIRs providing IPv6 address allocation service should apply the same
policy.