------------------------------------------------------- prop-103-v002: A Final IP Address Policy Proposal ------------------------------------------------------- Author: Randy Bush 1. Introduction --------------- IPv4 is history, with no immediate need to add more policy. IPv6 is sufficiently plentiful that a lot of further policy making is probably not needed. So let us agree to make no more IP address policies or proposals except those which are clearly needed and for which can not be accomplished with current procedures. 2. Summary ---------- The APNIC community spends time and resources proposing, discussing, arguing, ... about IP address policies out of habit. The process is important in that it maintains an open policy process but often these proposals are not really relevant to actually coordinating the prudent and high quality operation of the internet. 3. Situation in other RIRs -------------------------- The community spends inordinate time and resources making endless policy proposals about miniscule issues and baroque corner cases. This is a waste of time and other resources. 4. Details ---------- IPv4 policy proposals should be carefully examined to ensure that they are really necessary and they address real needs that can not be accomplished with existing processes. Discussion of the problem should preceed proposals for new policy to address the problem. In general, the same should hold for IPv6, although it is realized that, as we learn more about IPv6 use and deployment, more policy development may be useful. 5. Pros/Cons ------------ Advantages: - We would not have to spend time discussing things of small consequence and which do not help the customer/user in any real way. Disadvantages: - It would impact the amateur careers of policy wannabes. This is a feature, not a bug. 6. Effect on APNIC ------------------ Saves money, time, and other resources such as administrative complexity created by more complex but useless policies. 7. Effect on NIRs ----------------- Saves money, time, and other resources such as administrative complexity created by more complex but useless policies.