---------------------------------------------------------------------- prop-102-v002: Sparse allocation guidelines for IPv6 resource allocations ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Dean Pemberton Co-authors: Ren-Hung Hwang 1. Introduction ---------------- This proposal formalises the current use of a sparse allocation strategy when allocating IPv6 resources from the APNIC free pool. The proposal also requires that the allocation algorithm must be published on the website, and any revisions should go through a discussion period to receive feedback. 2. Summary of the current problem ---------------------------------- Large networks and economies are requesting blocks of IPv6 space larger than the current allocation models allow. At present the allocation strategies look at a timeline on the order of 1-2 years. Organisations are now having to look to a 5-10 year time-frame when deploying large IPv6 networks. They are understandably concerned about their ability to secure access to 5-10 years of aggregatable address space if they are only allocated on 1-2 year needs basis. We have seen requests in proposals such as prop-98, prop-99 and prop-100, which seek to find ways to allow for larger allocations or reserve an amount of space for future organisational use. All of these proposals seek to make large changes to the way that IPv6 addresses are allocated by APNIC in order to address these legitimate concerns. It would seem however that there is an alternative solution which would only require a small change to current operating procedure. At present the APNIC operating procedure is for hostmasters to use a method of sparse-allocation when allocating IPv6 addresses out of the APNIC free pool. The sparse-allocation allows for allocations to be given from a larger pool in such a way that members can request neighbouring allocations at a later date and aggregate these together in to a larger routable allocation. While this has been APNIC operating procedure for some time, it is not subject to oversight by any particular APNIC policy. As such the exact algorithm used as well as the parameters around this sparse-allocation algorithm are not open to member input or adjustment through the policy development process. While members may surmise that a neighbouring allocation may be waiting for them should they need it, this is not guarenteed and therefore can not be used as part of the members future planning process. 3. Situation in other RIRs --------------------------- Unknown at this point. 4. Details ----------- This proposal seeks to make the following additions/changes to APNIC policy 1. APNIC should the use sparse allocation when allocating IPv6 resources from APNIC address pools 2. APNIC must publish the details of the sparse allocation framework on the APNIC website as a numbered document. Changes to this document should be handled as per APNIC-112 "APNIC document editorial policy". 5. Pros/Cons ------------- Advantages: - APNIC Members will have surety that the current sparse allocation mechanism will continue to be used. - Through the use of sparse allocation, APNIC Members are able to ensure that they will receive aggregatable blocks within a longer planning window. They can use this surety in their internal network planning processes. Disadvantages: - The hostmasters would be required to document and publish the sparse allocation mechanism. This may have an increased workload requirement. It is not anticipated that this increase would be significant as changes to the algorithm are not expected to occur frequently. 6. Effect on APNIC Members -------------------------- APNIC members would be able to see the published details of the sparse allocation policy used by APNIC to allocate IPv6 resources from its address pool. APNIC members would apply for address space much like they do today and an allocation would be made under the same rules as apnic-089-v010. The only different would be that if the member can show a growth estimate for up to 5 years, APNIC will allocate their resources from a sparse allocation to accommodate this growth and future resource requests. 7. Effect on NIRs ------------------ The policy would apply when NIRs request address space from APNIC The proposal allows NIRs to choose when to adopt this policy for their Members.