ARIN Overview

[Barry Skeenes]

An email was sent out to this list on May 18 with a request to review the
document below. No comments have been offered to date. To keep this action
item moving forward, we would like to incorporate this information on our
website by the end of July, so please review and provide all comments by
July 21 so that we can publish this document as requested at our last Public
Policy Meeting.

Regards,
Barry Skeenes
ARIN Technical Writer


AN OVERVIEW OF ARIN'S ROLE IN THE INTERNET INDUSTRY TODAY

INTRODUCTION

This document introduces who ARIN is, what ARIN
does, and how the organization fits into the overall Internet industry. It
is important for the community and the general populace to understand and
recognize the role that ARIN, together with the other RIRs, plays in
maintaining stability of the network on a global scale. The management,
administrative, and technical oversight that the system of registries
provides forms the infrastructure needed to help keep the Internet
operational. The following paragraphs explain this in more detail.

Domain Names and IP Numbers

To say that IP addresses are important to running the Internet is to say
that food is important for sustaining life. Simply put, without IP numbers
the Internet could not function. In the form of binary code, they provide
the means by which all hosts or computers connected to the network are
uniquely identified.

IP addresses are the numbers upon which domain names are applied. Domain
names must be translated into IP numbers in order for them to be recognized
by the computers, servers, networks, root zones, and routers that make up
the Internet. This is accomplished through the Domain Name System (DNS), a
distributed database of information used to translate domain names into IP
numbers.

ARIN'S HISTORY

In the 1980s, the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) high-speed network,
the NSFNET, was connected to the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency's (ARPA's) ARPANET, a wide area network, which
essentially formed the infrastructure that we now know as the Internet.

The NSF originated a project named InterNIC under a cooperative agreement
with Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI) to provide registration and allocation of
domain names and IP address numbers. Over time, a consensus was reached in
the general Internet community to separate the management of domain names
from the management of IP numbers, in part to maintain stability of the IP
numbering system. As a result, ARIN was established to provide IP
registration services as an independent, non-profit corporation, and opened
its doors for business on December 22, 1997.

ARIN'S MISSION

ARIN was established for the purpose of providing administration and
registration of IP numbers as a public service to the Internet community.
ARIN is charged with maintaining a public trust, and, as such, allocates IP
addresses in an impartial manner. Its efforts ensure that IP addresses are
allocated providently as it continues to provide administration and
registration services to entities in its assigned region.

ARIN allocates globally unique IP addresses to ISPs for the purpose of
reassigning that space to their customers, and to end users exclusively for
use in their operational networks. As it distributes these IP numbers, ARIN
promotes the efficient utilization of IP address space to help ensure that
this valuable public resource will be available for future users.

The ability for IP addresses to be routed across the network is, of course,
of primary importance. Historically, the number of systems connecting to the
Internet was so rapid that the ability to route data between them was in
jeopardy. In fact, segments of the Internet could become inaccessible if not
adequately addressed. To keep this from happening, ARIN and the other RIRs
allocate IP addresses in a way that helps to control the amount of routing
information distributed.

ARIN TODAY

ARIN is structured to respond to the requirements of the industry and its
wide array of users.
This structure grew out of a consensus that the administration of IP space
should be managed by those who use it and depend upon it: the users at all
levels, including ISPs, corporate entities, universities, and individuals.
ARIN's membership is made up of representatives from these groups, which
provides for a bottom-up, community-based structure that allows the
organization to stay in step with the needs of the industry in an open
forum.

Members Meetings

ARIN Members meet twice annually at various locations to accommodate members
from all corners of ARIN's region. At these meetings, the members elect
Board of Trustees and Advisory Council members, discuss ARIN operational and
fiduciary matters, develop IP policies, and review Member services issues.

Public Policy Meetings

By design, ARIN is structured to provide a service to the community in an
open and fair manner, and it does so through an open membership policy as
well as hosting public policy meetings. The public meetings are open to all
parties and individuals interested in becoming involved in discussions of
IP-related issues, development of regional policies, and overall advancement
of the Internet. They allow ARIN to gain a broad perspective on the issues
that impact the industry the most.

Working Groups

ARIN promotes the formation of working groups as an extension of its public
policy meetings to address important issues that require a focused group of
individuals to discuss and recommend solutions to specific IP problems and
issues.

Funding Structure and Fees

The users in ARIN's region are responsible for determining the financial
structure of their registry. ARIN's funding model was established solely to
recover the costs incurred in the management and administration of IP
address space. The fees that ARIN charges provide the resources, including
staff, equipment, and facilities, necessary to keep pace with the demands of
the Internet community and are applied equitably to balance the distribution
of the operating costs among those obtaining services from ARIN. Also, ARIN'
s funding structure is similar to that of the RIPE and APNIC models and is
based on costs experienced in prior years.

SERVICES ARIN PROVIDES

ARIN provides services necessary to ensure continued stability of the
Internet, including the allocation of IP numbers, management of autonomous
system numbers (ASNs), maintenance of inverse address mapping
(in.addr.arpa), maintaining a routing registry, and help desk support, as
well as providing database maintenance and verification of registrants'
reassignment information.

IP Allocations

In allocating IP addresses, ARIN takes guidance from allocation policies and
procedures developed by the Regional Internet Registries' (RIRs') members
collectively, and those published by professional organizations in the
industry.

IP addresses are issued using either of two formats: IP version 4 (IPv4) or
IPv6. Whereas IPv6 is a new method of allocation in its startup phase, IPv4
has been in use for several years. The IETF is instrumental in developing
these technical standards and has an Internet Protocol Next Generation
(IPNG) Working Group to develop new technology to meet future demands.

Most organizations receive IP addresses from their upstream provider, i.e.,
those ISPs from which they obtain their Internet service. If a customer
changes service providers or terminates a contract with its upstream ISP,
the customer is asked to return its network addresses and must then use its
new address space to renumber its network.

Downstream organizations understandably prefer to permanently retain the IP
addresses assigned to them by their upstream provider even when they choose
to contract with another ISP. If they could take the numbers with them, they
wouldn't have to renumber into new addresses. However, blocks of IP
addresses allocated to any first tier or upstream ISP must remain contiguous
so that addresses can be aggregated. If these blocks were to become
fragmented, routing table overload could become a serious concern. ARIN and
the other RIRs ensure that potential problems such as this are monitored and
effectively addressed.

Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)

ASNs are globally unique numbers used to identify autonomous systems, which
are connected groups of IP networks that have a single and clearly defined
routing policy and are used for networks to exchange exterior routing
information. ARIN is responsible for assigning these numbers.

Inverse Address Mapping (in-addr.arpa)

Inverse address mapping is a service that provides a means for tracing data
transmissions over the Internet and is designed to facilitate queries to
locate gateways on a particular network. Through the use of the in-addr.arpa
domain, servers that originate transmissions can be identified.

Routing Registry

ARIN maintains a routing registry which provides reliable routing
information to organizations sending data across the Internet. It serves as
a registration service whereby network operators can submit, maintain, and
retrieve router configuration information. The registry serves as a
repository for routing policy system information and improves customers'
ability to configure and manage their networks.

Help Desk Support

The Registration Services Group within ARIN maintains a staff of experienced
IP analysts whose responsibility is to review IP requests and to answer
questions that the requesting organizations may have.

ICANN

Under U.S. Government contract, IANA had been responsible for the overall
management of IP address space and domain names, and distributed IP address
space to the RIRs for allocation to ISPs and other user organizations. The
work that IANA performed has been transitioned to the newly established
non-profit organization, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN).

The ICANN also serves as a forum for the greater user community to provide
input into issues involving the Internet. Within its structure, three
Supporting Organizations have been organized to form policies in their areas
of expertise and to make recommendations to ICANN's Board. The Address
Supporting Organization (ASO) is the body designated for making
recommendations to ICANN regarding global IP address policies. While the
RIRs make up the membership of the ASO, an Ad Hoc Group and an At-Large
Membership provide for input from a broad spectrum of interests.

REGIONAL INTERNET REGISTRIES (RIRs)

The RIRs are responsible for allocating IP addresses to organizations within
their assigned regions. They work together, coordinating activities to
provide a seamless global network for the many varied constituencies, with
their esoteric technologies, that connect to the Internet. The RIRs' role
has been, and continues to be, instrumental in maintaining stability of the
IP numbering system.

Any organization responsible for managing a public resource must remain
neutral. As such, RIRs do not show favoritism in an industry where
commercial entities are highly competitive. This helps to create a level
playing field by which all qualified organizations that provide Internet
services have an equal opportunity to receive IP allocations within a stable
fee structure. For these reasons, RIRs provide IP registration services over
large geographical regions such as continents.

ARIN's contribution is integral to the system of RIRs already in place. As
changes to the registry system come about to keep pace with continuing
changes, it is important that ARIN and the other RIRs remain at the center
of the system. Through their respective members and their incumbency, they
have the technical knowledge and experience in the real world to support a
robust world-wide network. The RIRs consider the needs of new technology
sectors and business interests in the context of the greater user base in
order to provide services that are equitable for all.

ROLE OF THE CONSUMER

The overriding premise: IP addresses are a limited public resource that must
be shared by everyone from all walks of life in all corners of the world,
and by every organization large or small.

The Internet may be perceived by some to be a resource that is virtually
limitless and inexhaustible. Indeed, it provides access to more data than
anyone ever dreamed possible. However, the Internet is constrained by the
parameters of the systems on which it runs. In the world of Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the protocol in use today, this
means that the pool of IP address space is finite -- a resource not without
boundaries.

As a public resource, IP addresses cannot be "sold" for monetary gain.
Organizations cannot "buy" IP addresses, but rather are given custodianship
of address blocks and are not considered to own that space. Address blocks,
as well as influence in the Internet community, are too often viewed as
powerful commodities to be attained. The notion of "control" over this
resource is recognized as a hindrance to the future of global Internet
communications.

As users began connecting to the network in increasingly greater numbers,
concerns arose as to whether there would be enough address space to
accommodate future users. As a result, development efforts for new
approaches were launched.

Thus, the use and distribution of IP numbers must be a cooperative effort
among all those involved. It is important that consumers distribute IP
address space with forethought and under strict guidelines to ensure that
the limited amount of space is used prudently and efficiently, without
unnecessary waste. All ISPs from the first tier on down should require their
downstream customers to follow their lead in conserving address space. End
users are also charged with efficient use of their assignments. Only in this
way can the Internet continue to accommodate the addition of new users
connecting to it from all over the globe at an accelerated rate.

GLOSSARY

AfriNIC - African Network Information Centre. A new RIR, with responsibility
for the African region, expected to be formed in 2000.

APNIC - Asia Pacific Network Information Centre. The RIR serving the Asia
Pacific region.

APRICOT - Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational
Technologies.

ARIN - American Registry for Internet Numbers. The RIR serving North and
South America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa.

ARPA - Advanced Research Projects Agency. The U.S. Government agency that
became DARPA in the mid-1970s.

ARPANET - An early experimental wide area network that connected computers
to government agencies, universities, and research facilities.

ASN - Autonomous System Number. Globally unique numbers that are used to
identify autonomous systems and for exchanging exterior routing information.

ASO - Address Supporting Organization. The body designated for making
recommendations to ICANN regarding IP addresses.

DNS - Domain Name System. A distributed database of information used to
translate domain names into IP numbers.

Domain Names - Common, easy-to-remember identifiers used today for
identifying host addresses.

Downstream Provider - A second-tier ISP.

End User - An organization receiving reassignments of IP addresses
exclusively for use in operational networks, not for reassignment to other
organizations.

FNC - Federal Networking Council. Chartered to act as a forum for networking
collaborations among Federal agencies.

Global Routing Table - A table of data stored in a router that contains
information on routes to network destinations.

IANA - Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. The organization formally
responsible for the management of IP address space allocation and functions
involving domain names.

ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The
not-for-profit organization responsible for distributing IP address space to
the RIRs for allocation to user organizations.

IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force. Community of network designers,
operators,
vendors, and researchers involved in the Internet.

in.addr.arpa - Inverse address mapping used for tracing source servers.

INET - An Internet-related conference held annually by the Internet Society
(ISOC).

IP - Internet Protocol. A network layer protocol that contains addressing
information and some control information that allows packets to be routed.

IPng - Internet Protocol Next Generation. An ongoing effort to develop new
Internet numbering methodologies.

IPv4 - IP version 4. A method of identifying IP numbers as 32-bit addresses
that consist of four octets, each octet expressed as a number between 0 and
255, separated by periods, for example: 198.41.0.52.

IPv6 - IP version 6. A method of identifying IP numbers as 128-bit addresses
in eight 16-bit pieces using hexadecimal values, for example:
A974:B22F:989E:6732:4444:CC15:D042:7BE1.

ISI - Information Sciences Institute. An advanced computer and
communications research and development facility at the University of
Southern California.

ISP - Internet Service Provider. A person, organization, or company that
provides access to the Internet as well as web hosting, domain name service,
and other proprietary services.

LACNIC - Latin America. A new RIR, responsible for the Latin America region,
expected to begin operation in 2000.

NANOG - North American Network Operators Group. A group composed of network
service providers that provides a forum for the exchange of technical
information.

NIC - Network Information Center. An organization central to supporting
Internet operations, providing such services as registration and allocation
of domain names and IP address numbers, ensuring global uniqueness of
numbers, and providing a DNS data base server.

NSF - National Science Foundation

NSFNET - An earlier high-speed network that connected academic and research
institutions throughout the U.S.

RFC - Request for Comment. A document series of the IETF that focuses on
computing concepts, computer communications, networking, and Internet
protocols.

RIPE NCC - Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre. The RIR that
serves Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.

RIR - Regional Internet Registry. Registries responsible for management of
IP addresses.

Root Zones - A select number of servers worldwide that keep global routing
tables updated.

Route Aggregation - The grouping of IP addresses in a hierarchical manner to
reduce the amount of routing information at the top level.

Routing Registry - A registration service for network operators to submit,
maintain, and retrieve router configuration information.

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The protocol used
on the Internet today.

Upstream Provider - An ISP with whom an end user or another ISP contracts
for obtaining Internet services.