[arin-ppml] Policy Proposal: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Policy for Allocation of ASN Blocks (ASNs) to Regional Internet Registries

[Scott Leibrand]

One thing to keep in mind here is that, because this is a Global Policy, 
and because of the extremely tight timeframe, we need to agree on the 
text of the proposal right away, and make sure the same text gets put 
forward in each region.  Even if everyone approves it their first time 
around, and LACNIC approves it through their fast-track process (since 
it'll be exactly a year until their next meeting), we're still looking 
at sometime in 2010 before the policy can be ratified by the ASO-AC and 
ICANN.  That will mean we will have several months (at least) of RIRs 
being unable to get more 16-bit ASNs from the IANA before this policy 
could go through and make it possible again.  I've heard some very good 
arguments in the last week that the simpler we make the change, the less 
likely we are to run into problems that cause delays in getting this 
approved in time for it to be useful...

How important do you think it is to preserve the 16bit/32bit ASN 
distinction past 1 Jan 2011?  Is it worth the increased risk of delay in 
passing such a revised global policy?

(As you probably figured out from my comments above, I personally 
support this policy.)

-Scott

Owen DeLong wrote:
> While I do not support changing the RIR policy on the issuance of ASNs,
> I do support this policy proposal.  I think that modifying the IANA->RIR
> distribution rules to accommodate the needs of RIRs to better serve their
> constituents makes sense. Further, having 16-bit ASNs trapped in the
> IANA free pool because 32-bit ASNs are not being accepted by recipients
> is absurd and poor stewardship. We should go ahead and issue 16-bit
> ASNs until they run out.
>
> I would suggest that this proposal, rather than removing the distinction
> in 2010 should be modified to extend the IANA->RIR duality until such
> time as there are no more 16-bit ASN blocks in the IANA pool.
>
> Owen
>
> On May 29, 2009, at 8:11 AM, Member Services wrote:
>
>> ARIN received the following policy proposal and is posting it to the
>> Public Policy Mailing List (PPML) in accordance with Policy Development
>> Process.
>>
>> This proposal is in the first stage of the Policy Development Process.
>> ARIN staff will perform the Clarity and Understanding step. Staff does
>> not evaluate the proposal at this time, their goal is to make sure that
>> they understand the proposal and believe the community will as well.
>> Staff will report their results to the ARIN Advisory Council (AC) within
>> 10 days.
>>
>> The AC will review the proposal at their next regularly scheduled
>> meeting (if the period before the next regularly scheduled meeting is
>> less than 10 days, then the period may be extended to the subsequent
>> regularly scheduled meeting). The AC will decide how to utilize the
>> proposal and announce the decision to the PPML.
>>
>> In the meantime, the AC invites everyone to comment on the proposal on
>> the PPML, particularly their support or non-support and the reasoning
>> behind their opinion. Such participation contributes to a thorough
>> vetting and provides important guidance to the AC in their 
>> deliberations.
>>
>> The ARIN Policy Development Process can be found at:
>> https://www.arin.net/policy/pdp.html
>>
>> Mailing list subscription information can be found
>> at:https://www.arin.net/mailing_lists/
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Member Services
>> American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)
>>
>>
>> ## * ##
>>
>>
>> Policy Proposal: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Policy for
>> Allocation of ASN Blocks (ASNs) to Regional Internet Registries
>>
>> Proposal Originator: Stacy Hughes and Andrew de la Haye
>>
>> Proposal Version: 1.0
>>
>> Date: 29 May 2009
>>
>> Proposal type: modify
>>
>> Policy term: permanent
>>
>> Policy statement:
>>
>> Modification of NRPM section 10.3 extending the deadline for an
>> undifferentiated ASN pool by 1 year to read:
>>
>> 1. Allocation Principles
>>
>> IANA allocates ASNs to RIRs in blocks of 1024 ASNs. In this document the
>> term "ASN block" refers to a set of 1024 ASNs. Until 31 December 2010,
>> allocations of 16-bit and 32-bit only ASN blocks will be made separately
>> and independent of each other [1].
>>
>> This means until 31 December 2010, RIRs can receive two separate ASN
>> blocks, one for 16-bit ASNs and one for 32-bit only ASNs from the IANA
>> under this policy. After this date, IANA and the RIRs will cease to make
>> any distinction between 16-bit and 32-bit only ASNs, and will operate
>> ASN allocations from an undifferentiated 32-bit ASN allocation pool.
>>
>> Rationale:
>>
>> a. Arguments supporting the proposal
>>
>> Due to operational issues external to the IANA/RIR policy process,
>> 32-bit only ASNs are not being issued by the RIRs at the anticipated
>> rate. As it stands, RIRs will likely not be able to justify a new block
>> of ASNs from the IANA after 31 December 2009 due to a glut of free 32
>> bit only ASNs in the RIR’s pool. This leaves available, essential 16-bit
>> ASNs stranded in the IANA free pool. This proposal seeks to remedy the
>> potential problem by extending the deadline for differentiation by one
>> year.
>>
>> With this proposal the policy will be aligned with the actual reality in
>> regards to 32-bit ASN deployment and usage.
>>
>> The subject was raised during RIPE 58 and a presentation was made:
>> http://www.ripe.net/ripe/meetings/ripe-58/content/presentations/asn32-take-up-report.pdf 
>>
>>
>> The feedback in this session suggested that a global policy proposal
>> should be developed and should be discussed.
>>
>> b. Arguments opposing the proposal
>>
>> Some may think that extending the previously set timeline can be
>> perceived as some discouragement for the deployment of 32-bit ASNs. One
>> counter argument to this is that RIRs and Internet community have some
>> other mechanisms and activities to raise awareness for 32-bit ASN pool
>> (via public presentations and trainings). These activities will continue
>> while 16-bit ASN blocks are still allocated to RIRs by the IANA as they
>> are available and they are needed.
>>
>> Timetable for implementation: Immediately upon ratification by ICANN 
>> Board
>>
>>
>>
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