[ppml] Proposed Policy: 4-Byte AS Number Policy Proposal

[Geoff Huston]

At 06:38 AM 14/12/2005, william(at)elan.net wrote:

>On Wed, 14 Dec 2005, Geoff Huston wrote:
>
>>I have to disagree with this assertion. As noted in the 4byte AS draft, and
>>as noted in http://www.potaroo.net/ispcol/2005-08/as.html, the transition
>>is entirely different to that associated with IPv6. In this case existing
>>players in the inter-domain routing space have no requirement to do
>>anything now, or in the future. Let me say it again: Folk who have 2 byte
>>AS numbers need do _nothing_ , i.e. the transition allows for "the
>>continued use of AS2  space" indefinitely. Please read these references, as
>>they are intended to describe the transition situation in as comprehensive
>>manner as possible.
>
>That is not quite as easy as you describe. To be able to use 32bit ASNs,
>all routers will need to be upgraded (at least all those who want to 
>directly communicate/peer with somebody with 32bit ASN).


Again, not so. I'll say it again: Please _read_ these references, as they 
are intended to describe the transition situation in as comprehensive 
manner as possible.


>Note that users
>of ASNs are not the same as users of IPv4 space - for ipv4 the end-sites
>are kinds of computer devices and everyone on the internet a user of ipv4 
>space, where as for ASN end-sites are routers and users are the ISPs.
>Since we say that all such devices will need to upgrade software, that
>means that all users of ASNs do indeed need to upgrade.


sigh - this is just not so. Please _read_ these references, as they are 
intended to describe the transition situation in as comprehensive manner as 
possible.

Geoff