[ppml] Policy Proposal 2005-1: Provider Independent IPv6 Assignments for End-sites - to be revised

[Member Services]

The ARIN Advisory Council (AC), acting under the provisions of the ARIN
Internet Resource Policy Evaluation Process (IRPEP), has reviewed policy
proposal 2005-1: Provider Independent IPv6 Assignments for End-sites and
has determined that while there is no community consensus in favor of
the proposal there is consensus that the proposal should be revised and
discussed further.  The AC made this determination at their meeting at
the conclusion of the ARIN Public Policy meeting in April, 2005.
Minutes of the Public Policy Meeting can be found at
http://www.arin.net/meetings/minutes/ARIN_XV/index.html.  The results of
the AC meeting were reported by the Chair of the AC at the member
meeting.  This report can be found at
http://www.arin.net/meetings/minutes/ARIN_XV/mem_minutes.html#anchor_4.

The AC will work with the author of the proposal to make the community
suggested revisions and return the proposal to the ppml for further
discussion.

The current policy proposal text is provided below and is also available
at http://www.arin.net/policy/proposals/2005_1.html.

The ARIN Internet Resource Policy Evaluation Process can be found at
http://www.arin.net/policy/irpep.html.

Regards,

Member Services
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)


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Policy Proposal 2005-1: Provider Independent IPv6 Assignments for End-sites

   	
Policy statement

To be added to NRPM Section 6, IPv6, a new sub-section:

6.11 Assignments to End-sites with Autonomous System Numbers

     Any end-site which meets the current criteria for assignment of an
autonomous system number (ASN) shall also qualify for one IPv6 prefix
assignment of the minimum size justified under the ARIN guidelines for
assignment by an LIR. If the organization grows to require more space,
it will not be entitled to an additional block, but rather may obtain a
new, replacement block of sufficient size to meet its needs in exchange
for making the commitment to return its existing block within 24 months,
so that it may be reassigned.

Policy Rationale (if provided)

There is a legitimate and growing need for provider independent
addressing for end-site organizations. While there were and are
technical reasons for limiting this in the IPv4 world, they need to be
solved in the IPv6 world, or, we will not see widespread adoption of IPv6.

This policy does not promote extreme growth in the routing table, as it
would provide support for fewer than 70,000 IPv6 prefixes if every
organization that currently has an ASN were to get an assignment, grow,
and, be in the 24 month renumbering period. Realistically, it is
unreasonable to think that this policy would contribute even 10,000
routes to the IPv6 table in the near term future.

This policy provides for reasonable IPv6 provider independent
assignments without creating a land-grab, explosive routing table
growth, or a IPv6 swamp.

All such assignments under this policy shall be subject to the same
renewal criteria as IPv4 end-user assignments with a fee structure to be
set by ARIN in the usual and customary way.

Concerns were expressed about being able to reclaim this space and about
a land rush. Should an IPv6 land rush occur under this policy (an ASN
land rush would be required first), the ARIN BOT has emergency authority
to suspend this or any other policy in the interests of the internet
with appropriate review at the next public policy meeting. As to
reclamation, it is quite clear in the Registration Services Agreement:

     4. Conditions of service ...

     (d) Changes to Services. Applicant acknowledges and agrees that
ARIN fulfills a critical role in the continued evolution of the Internet
and, accordingly, ARIN may, in its sole and absolute discretion, change,
modify, suspend, or make improvements to any aspect of the Services,
temporarily or permanently, at any time without specific notice to
Applicant, and ARIN will not be liable for doing so. ARIN will have the
right from time to time to change the amount of the fees or institute
new fees relating to the Services, as set forth in Section 6, but such
changes to fees will only take effect upon the renewal of the Services.

Also, according to subsequent sections of the agreement, ARIN may simply
choose not to renew the agreement with 30 days notice to the applicant.

Either of these actions makes reclamation quite possible.