The future of SWIP

[Shane Kerr]

On 2001-01-31 12:49:55 +0000, ginny listman wrote:
> Does anyone comment on which option you prefer?

Not really, but I can tell you how the RIPE database handles this.  :)

While the RIPE database doesn't really have the same approach to
organization information that ARIN's does, there is the possibility for
any organization to register information about itself.  It is up to
other organizations to decide how this is to be used.

So, in ARIN's case, ARIN would register information about the ARIN
member.  If the member allocated space to another organization, it could
then register information about that organization itself (this is option
#1).  However, in the RIPE model, if the ARIN member so desired, it
could allow the organization to update the information as it wished
(allowing the desirable effects of option #2).

If the organization was allocated space from a different ARIN member,
then that member could choose to use the information registered by the
first ARIN member, or it could register the organization with new
information.

You can have:

1. ARIN member creates downstream information, ARIN member maintains it
2. ARIN member creates downstream information, downstream maintains it
3. ARIN member creates downstream information, both maintain it

You can also have:

1. ARIN member uses existing downstream information, another ARIN member
   maintains it
2. ARIN member uses existing downstream information, downstream
   maintains it
3. ARIN member uses existing downstream information, it and another ARIN
   member maintains it
4. ARIN member uses existing downstream information, it and downstream
   both maintain it
5. ARIN member uses existing downstream information, all 3 maintain it

Further extensions with additional members, additional downstreams, and
so on are left as an exercise to the reader.  ;)

Basically, I think if both option #1 and #2 are potentially useful to
some members, allow them both.  It will require some work to make the
use of mechanisms clear, but it will probably be worth the effort.

But then, I'm not a member, so take with the appropriate grain of salt.

Shane