[ppml] Policy Proposal: Decreasing Exponential Rationing of IPv4 IP Addresses

[Scott Leibrand]

Dean,

Thank you for starting this discussion with a policy proposal.

IMO we'll need to add some additional guidance to a policy proposal like 
this in order to ensure it's implemented in a way that meets the 
proposal's goals.  For example, here are a few questions we might want 
to address:

    * How should rationing be achieved?  Should all applicants receive
      smaller blocks than their justified usage would otherwise permit? 
      Should all applications be placed on a waiting list and filled in
      a first-come-first-served basis as soon as the rationing function
      allows?
    * What mechanisms would be allowed to meet the needs of networks
      denied or delayed space under rationing?  Would a market be
      created/allowed such that networks that really need IP space right
      away can purchase it from other networks that can more easily free
      up addresses through improved efficiency?  Would networks needing
      space immediately be encouraged to get ("rent") PA space from a
      provider?
    * What do you mean by contested IP space?  Are you referring to
      pre-ARIN allocations and assignments, or something else?


I'm not sure if a rationing policy would be better than the Soft Landing 
proposal, but IMO rationing is an idea worth fleshing out and 
considering as an alternative.

-Scott

Member Services wrote:
> Policy Proposal Name: Decreasing Exponential Rationing of IPv4 IP Addresses
>
> Author: Dean Anderson
>
> Proposal Version: 1
>
> Submission Date: 8/18/07
>
> Proposal type: new
>
> Policy term: renewable
>
> Policy statement:
>
> ARIN will ration the remaining available IP Address Space according to a
> decreasing exponential function in the family of e^(-x), where the
> ultimate function and factors are chosen to ensure that the remaining IP
> address space lasts for at least 10 years.
> This function will be used to limit the IP Address space allocations.
> If IP Address Space becomes available (e.g. via return), the ration can
> be recalculated.  However, Ration calculations will not be based on
> projected or anticipated returns. Contested IP Address Space will also
> be excluded from the amount of available Address Space for ration
> calculations.
>
> Rationale:
>
> Two reports[1,2] project that IP Addresses will be exhausted around
> March 2010.
>
> * Both reports agree that if IP Addresses continue to delegated at the
> present rates, we will run out of space in March 2010.
>
> * Everyone seems to agree that depletion will be a very bad event.
>
> * It is therefore imperative to begin rationing to slow down the rate of
> new delegations to conserve the available address space.
>
> * It is necessary to do this now. One can't start rationing after the
> resources run out.
>
> Sudden IPv4 IP Address Exhaustion is expected to cause sudden disruption
> and discontinuity in business operations and planning.  As with other
> limited resources, the mere anticipation of exhaustion will lead to
> hoarding and other behaviors that increase the harm of a sudden exhaustion.
>
> Rationing on a decreasing exponential will essentially prevent total
> exhaustion and will gradually decrease the rate of IP Address delegation
> so to alleviate the harms of a sudden stop in IP Address delegation.
>
> Prevention of IPv4 IP Address Exhaustion will help ensure a smooth
> transition to IPV6.
>
> Rationing helps ensures that IP Address space remains available to
> future needs.
>
>
> [1] http://www.potaroo.net/tools/ipv4/index.html
> [2] http://www.tndh.net/~tony/ietf/ipv4-pool-combined-view.pdf
>
> Timetable for implementation: Immediate
>
>
>
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