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prop-051-v001:  Global policy for the allocation of the remaining IPv4
                address space
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Author:    Roque Gagliano , ANTEL
           Francisco Obispo, CENIT
           Hytham EL Nakhal, MCIT
           Didier Allain Kla, ISOC Cote d'Ivoire

Version:   1

Date:      26 July 2007



1.  Introduction
----------------
In order to assure the equal distribution of the IPv4 address space  
across RIR regions, this policy proposal describes  a process for the
allocation of the remaining IPv4 space from IANA to the existing RIRs.


2.  Summary of current problem
------------------------------

The IANA pool is decreasing rapidly. The current "on demand" policy
in a way rewards who uses the most addresses and maintaining. As more
addresses are allocated, a rush to monopolize the allocation of
addresses from IANA is possible.


3.   Situation in other RIRs
----------------------------

LACNIC: This proposal reached consensus at LACNIC X meeting and is
        awaiting Board approval.

AFRINIC/RIPE/ARIN: The prooposal proposal is being submitted to all
                   regions.  


4.   Details of the proposal
----------------------------

Policy Statement:

This policy describes the process for the allocation of the remaining
IPv4 space from IANA to the RIRs. When a minimum amount of available
space is reached, an identical number of IPv4 allocation units (/8s)
will be allocated from IANA to each RIR, replacing the current IPv4
allocation policy.

In order to fulfill the requirements of this policy, at the time it is
adopted, an identical number of IPv4 allocation units (N units) will be
reserved by IANA for each RIR. The number N is defined as: 5. The
reserved allocation units will no longer be part of the available space
at the IANA pool. The process for the allocation of the remaining IPv4
space is divided in two consecutives phases:


1. Existing policy phase:

   During this phase IANA will continue allocating IPv4 addresses to  
   the RIRs using the existing allocation policy.  This phase will 
   continue until a request for IPv4 address space from any RIR to 
   IANA cannot be fulfilled with the remaining IPv4 space available at
   the IANA pool.

   This will be the last IPv4 address space request that IANA will
   accept from any RIR. At this point the next phase of the process  
   will be initiated.


2. Exhaustion phase:

   IANA will automatically allocate the reserved IPv4 allocation units
   to each RIR (N units to each one) and respond to the last request
   with the remaining available allocation units at the IANA pool (M
   units).

   2.1. Size of the final IPv4 allocations:

        During this phase IANA will automatically allocate N allocation
        units to each RIR from the reserved space defined in this
        policy. IANA will also allocate M allocation units to the RIR
        that submitted the last request for IPv4 addresses.

   2.2. Allocation of the remaining IPv4 Address space:

        After the completion of the evaluation of the final request for
        IPv4 addresses, IANA must:

        A) Immediately notify the NRO about the activation of the  
           second phase of this policy.

        B) Proceed to allocate M allocation units to the RIR that
           submitted the last request for IPv4 address space.

        C) Proceed to allocate N allocation units to each RIR from the
           reserved space.


5.   Advantages and disadvantages of the proposal
-------------------------------------------------

Advantages:

- It eliminates the pressure on the central pool.

- It allows each RIR to approve new policies for the allocation of  
  their remaining space.

- It allows the discussion of the concept of the policy first and the  
  size of the final allocation later.


Disadvantage:

- Concerns have been raised regarding the address blocks that will be  
  kept at smaller RIRs (particularly LACNIC and AFRINIC). However,
  at the actual address consumption rate, to open those blocks 
  (10 x /8) would only represent a 12-month extension of the 
  exhaustion date for the bigger RIRs.


6.   Effect on APNIC members
----------------------------

APNIC will continue receiving IPv4 allocation units by the current
policy until the central pool reachs 25 x /8. At that time APNIC and
the rest of the RIR will receive its last 5 x /8.


7.   Effect on NIRs
-------------------

No effect.