ARIN Overview

[Howard C. Berkowitz]

A bit more commentary, perhaps that should tie into the allocation discussion.

I tried for some analogies that would help the press, etc.


>This looks great.  How about including a definition of "IP Address" in the
>following paragraph:
>
>  >
>  > 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.
>
>
>-gene
>
>
>------------------------
>Gene Jakominich
>Systems Engineer, ISP Operations
>Broadview Networks
>http://www.broadviewnet.net
>Voice: 215.293.8739
>------------------------
>
>
>
>Barry Skeenes writes:
>
>  >
>  > 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.

With respect to the Internet, an IP address has value only if it can 
be used to interconnect computers connected to the Internet. If the 
Internet fails to work, IP addresses have no value. There are 
physical and operational constraints on the IP addresses that can be 
used, and many of ARIN's rules reflect these realities.

Think of your home telephone. It connects to the local telephone 
company through a pair of copper wires, bundled with other pairs into 
a cable containing several hundred pairs. So the telephone company 
knows which wire pair is associated with each physical location, the 
pairs are numbered.   Assume your pair is number 42.  The telephone 
company administratively assigns your telephone number, 555-1234, to 
pair 42. Operationally, this assignment is stored in software of the 
telephone switching center.

If a squirrel bites through the cable, severing pair 42, your 
telephone service can be reassigned to pair 86.  Your telephone 
number, however, does not need to change.  In the Internet, domain 
names are the logical equivalent of telephone numbers.  Telephone 
numbers and domain names both identify a certain subscriber, while 
wire pairs and IP addresses tell how to reach a specific location. 
Just as you cannot assign a 101st pair to a 100-pair cable, there are 
practical limitations on IP addresses.

>  >
>  > 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 - RÈseaux IP EuropÈens 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.
>  >
>  >