________________________________________________________________________ prop-088-v001: Distribution of IPv4 addresses once the final /8 period starts ________________________________________________________________________ Author: Randy Bush Philip Smith Version: 1 Date: 22 November 2010 1. Introduction ---------------- This is a proposal to handle any IPv4 address space received by APNIC after the final /8 policy is implemented as being part of the final /8 pool and to redistribute these resources according to the final /8 policies. 2. Summary of current problem ------------------------------ After APNIC has activated the "final /8" allocation policies[1], there is the possibility that APNIC will receive further IPv4 addresses. These IPv4 addresses will come either directly from Asia Pacific networks that no longer need them, or, if the global policy proposal for redistributing resources from the IANA succeeds, from the IANA. The intent of the authors of the original final /8 policy proposal was to have all other IPv4 allocation and assignment policies replaced by the delegation policy described in the final /8 policy. However, the current language of the final /8 policy does not explicitly repeal the other IPv4 allocation and assignment policies. The authors are therefore aware that there may be some confusion as to how such returned addresses should be distributed by APNIC. This proposal seeks to clarify the situation. 3. Situation in other RIRs --------------------------- There is no similar policy or proposal in other regions. 4. Details of the proposal --------------------------- It is proposed that: 4.1 When APNIC has distributed all other available IPv4 resources, and has to start distributing from the final /8, any IPv4 resources received after that point will be placed into the final /8 pool. - This placement into the final /8 pool will occur even if the result is a pool larger than one /8. - Subject to any future global policy for the redistribution of addresses received by the IANA from the RIRs (for example, prop-069), this placement applies to any IPv4 addresses APNIC receives from: - the IANA; and/or - holders of addresses in the APNIC Whois Database 4.2 These resources received in 4.1 are to be distributed according to the same policies as apply to the final /8 [1]. 5. Advantages and disadvantages of the proposal ------------------------------------------------ 5.1 Advantages - It reduces confusion possible if IPv4 resources are received outside the final /8 but during the period when the final /8 policy is active by explicitly stating how these IPv4 resources are to be handled. 5.2 Disadvantages - No disadvantages are foreseen. 6. Effect on APNIC members --------------------------- APNIC members can only request and receive a single distribution from the final /8. This would also apply to any other IPv4 addresses placed in the final /8 pool by this policy. 7. Effect on NIRs ------------------ This will affect NIR members in the same way as APNIC members. 8. References -------------- [1] Section 9.10 "Distribution of the final /8 worth of space in the unallocated APNIC IPv4 address pool" of "Policies for IPv4 address space management in the Asia Pacific region" http://www.apnic.net/policy/add-manage-policy#9.10