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prop-078-v002: IPv6 deployment criteria for IPv4 final /8 delegations
               
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Author:    Terence Zhang Yinghao
           <zhangyinghao@cnnic.cn>
           
           Jane Zhang
           <zhangjian@cnnic.cn>

           Wendy Zhao Wei
           <zhaowei@cnnic.cn>


Version:   2

Date:      1 February 2010



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

This policy proposal seeks to ensure account holders use IPv4 addresses
from the final /8 space for transitioning to IPv6. The proposal 
supplements the final /8 policy [1] by requiring applicants to 
demonstrate IPv6 deployment needs or a transition plan.

The intention is to stimulate native IPv6 deployment as much as 
possible, while supporting the need for future networks to communicate
with the IPv4 world.


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

The Internet will use IPv4 for many years during the adoption of 
IPv6. During this period, account holders will need to connect to the
IPv4 Internet while they deploy services using the IPv6 Internet.

The final /8 policy[1] has the objective of assisting account holders to
participate in the IPv4 Internet while they deploy services using the
IPv6 Internet. However, the final /8 policy does not specifically 
require account holders to demonstrate IPv6 deployment needs or a
transition plan. 

This means that under the current final /8 policy, small account holders
could use their /22 allocation gained under the policy to grow IPv4
services and not to begin the transition to IPv6. 

To make the message clear and ensure IPv4 space will remain available
for account holders' IPv6 deployment, this policy proposal seeks to
ensure account holders use the final /8 space for IPv6 transition.


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

AfriNIC has a similar policy proposal under discussion:

    AFPUB-2009-v4-003: IPv4 Soft Landing Policy
    http://www.afrinic.net/docs/policies/AFPUB-2009-v4-003.htm

ARIN has adopted a similar policy:

    2008-5: Dedicated IPv4 block to facilitate IPv6 Deployment 
    https://www.arin.net/policy/proposals/2008_5.html

RIPE has similar policy proposal under discussion:

    2009-04: IPv4 Allocation and Assignments to Facilitate IPv6
    Deployment
    http://www.ripe.net/ripe/policies/proposals/2009-04.html

LACNIC currently has no similar policy or proposal.


4.  Details
----------- 

It is proposed that to receive IPv4 addresses under the final /8 policy,
account holders must meet the following additional criteria:


    1. The account holder must demonstrate either:
    
        i.  an IPv6 transition plan, OR
        ii. IPv6 deployment needs, especially the needs for IPv6 to IPv4
            internetworking.

     2. The account holder must have either:
     
        i.  existing IPv6 addresses, OR
        ii. a valid application for IPv6 addresses.


This proposal does not remove the existing conditions specified in the
current final /8 policy[2].

The /16 reserved for future uses[3] is exempted from the IPv6 
requirement.


5.  Pros/Cons
------------- 

5.1 Advantages

    - This proposal ensures account holders use the final /8 space for
      IPv6 transition, supporting the needs for future networks to
      communicate with the IPv4 world.


5.2 Disadvantages

    - Some account holders will not be eligible to receive addresses
      from the final /8 if their sole intent is to grow IPv4 services.


6.  Effect on APNIC Members
---------------------------

This proposal requires APNIC account holders (existing and new) to
demonstrate IPv6 deployment needs or transition plan to receive IPv4
addresses from the final /8. 


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

This proposal will have the same effect on NIRs as it does on APNIC
Members.


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

[1] See section 9.10, "Distribution of the final /8 worth of space in
    the unallocated APNIC IPv4 address pool" in "Policies for IPv4
    address space management in the Asia Pacific region"
    http://www.apnic.net/policy/add-manage-policy.html#9.10

[2] See section 9.10.1, "Allocations to LIRs" in "Policies for
    IPv4 address space management in the Asia Pacific region"
    http://www.apnic.net/policy/add-manage-policy.html#9.10

[3] See section 9.10.2, "Allocations for future uses" in "Policies for
    IPv4 address space management in the Asia Pacific region"
    http://www.apnic.net/policy/add-manage-policy.html#9.10