------------------------------------------------------------------------

prop-106-v002: Clarifying operational practices in the APNIC region for
transfers under the final /8 delegation

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Authors:    Shin SHIRAHATA shin@clara.ad.jp
            Tomohiro Fujisaki fujisaki@syce.net



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

The current APNIC IPv4 address management policy clearly states that
"each new or existing APNIC account holder is only eligible to request
and receive delegations totalling a maximum /22 worth of address space
from the APNIC IPv4 address pool."

When the final /8 policy was implemented, the possible loophole to the
policy was pointed out for people who try to obtain multiple /22s from
the final /8 block. It was argued it can be addressed by the APNIC
secretariat taking adequate actions when it finds such cases.

However, there are no clearly written descriptions in APNIC documents
for the secretariat to refer to, in order to take operational measures
for such cases.

Based on our observations of the APNIC transfer history records, some
LIRs seems to collect IPv4 address blocks under the final /8 range by
using multiple accounts, and transfer these blocks to a single account.

We believe having a clearly described operational guidelines for the
APNIC secretariat would help them take adequate actions when they find
such cases.


2. Summary
----------

This policy proposes to clearly define, as the operational guidelines
that APNIC may not approve transfers under the final /8 block for cases
against the spirit of the final /8 policy.

The current number of "misused" transfers may not be large enough to
apply restrictions as APNIC policy. However, if "misused" transfers are
not desirable in principle, it would be good to allow some capabilities
for APNIC secretariat to refrain from approving such transfers as an
operational decision, when it clearly finds the case of misuse.

This would help the APNIC secretariat to have an APNIC document to refer
to, and to take adequate actions when it finds such cases.

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

No similar policy at other RIRs.


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

We propose to add following text in the APNIC guidelines document about
IPv4 address transfers under the final /8 block.

 - For transfers of address blocks approved the final /8 policy,
   APNIC/NIR will confirm if it matches with the spirit of the final /8
   policy.

 - When APNIC/NIR confirm requested transfers do not match with the
   spirit of the final /8 policy, it cannot guarantee to approve such
   transfers

This would allow APNIC/NIRs referring to the guidelines document, when
they find the case of misuse.


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

Advantages:

    - Allow the APNIC secretariat to take adequate actions when they
      clearly find the case of misuse against the spirit of the final
      /8 policy.

   -  It would not have a strong restriction as in the policy.

Disadvantages:

    - There may be some opinions about the need to address the problem
      at this stage.

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

Needs to justify transfers of IPv4 address blocks under the final /8
block if it matches with the spirit of final /8 policy.


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

NIRs need to adopt this policy.