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prop-066-v001: Ensuring efficient use of historical IPv4 resources
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Authors:   Brenda D. Tarimel
	       btarimel@palaunet.com

           Philip Smith
           pfs@cisco.com

           James Spenceley
           james@vocus.com.au

Version:   1

Date:      22 July 2008


1.  Introduction
----------------

This is a proposal to include all historical address allocations when
assessing a network's eligibility for more IPv4 addresses.


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

The unallocated pool of IPv4 addresses is predicted to run out within
the next few years.  As the unallocated pool dwindles, it is important
to ensure that the remaining IPv4 addresses are allocated responsibly
and fairly.

Currently, when LIRs apply for new IPv4 allocations from APNIC, they
only have to include the past allocations they have received from
APNIC as part of the documentation and justification process. They do
not have to declare any historical addresses [1] they may have
received prior to receiving address space from APNIC.

As a result of this, there is a large amount of historical IPv4
address space where little or nothing is known about its use.

At the moment LIRs can receive more scarce IPv4 address space from APNIC
while at the same time hoarding unused historical address space.  This
uses up the remaining IPv4 pool more rapidly than is really necessary.


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

The other RIRs do not currently include historical allocations when
assessing requests for allocations from the RIR pools.

This proposal has not been submitted to any other region.


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

This is a proposal to modify the criteria for receiving IPv4 address
space so that both historical addresses and previous allocations are
included.

    - This proposal applies to all historical IPv4 resources
      registered in the APNIC Whois Database.

    - Historical IPv4 resources that are not managed under the
      existing historical maintenance or transfer policies will remain
      free of fees.


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

5.1 Advantages

    - Ensures that organisations are using scarce IPv4 address space
      resources to the fullest extent possible.

    - The utilisation of historical IPv4 addresses will be brought
      into line with current best practices for address management.

    - The remaining IPv4 free pool will be delegated to LIRs that have
      a genuine need for IP addresses.


5.2 Disadvantages

    - Organisations can no longer hoard unused address space while at
      the same time receive more scarce address space from APNIC's
      pool.

    - LIRs with historical IPv4 addresses may find it time consuming
      to change network architecture that uses historical IPv4
      addresses in an inefficient manner.

      However, the difficulties felt by these networks is outweighed
      by the greater benefits of ensuring that the remaining IPv4
      address space is delegated to networks with a genuine need for
      IPv4 allocations.


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

APNIC members who have applied best practices for address space
management for all their address ranges will not be affected.

APNIC members who have not applied best practices for all their
address ranges may need to modify their management of historical
addresses before they can qualify for IPv4 addresses from APNIC.

There will be no impact on fees paid by members.


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

The proposal has no direct impact on NIRS, but impacts members of NIRs
in the same way it impacts APNIC members.


8.   References
---------------

[1]  Historical resources definition
     http://www.apnic.net/policy/historical-resource-policies.html#2.2