Abstract
This document aims to provide the necessary information for those who wish to set up a Local Internet Registry (LIR). Initial guidelines are given to organisations that are planning to set up a LIR, and the necessary steps to set up a LIR are described.
On this page
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 Who can set up a Local Internet Registry?
- 3.0 Setting up an LIR
- 4.0 Requesting address space for the first time
- 5.0 Training courses
This is the original 2005 guide. For the current application process, fees and the New Membership Registration Portal, see How to become an AFRINIC Resource Member.
1.0 Introduction
AFRINIC is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) responsible for the distribution of Internet resources in Africa and Indian Ocean service region. Most organisations request these resources, i.e. IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASN), directly from their upstream service provider. However, there are circumstances when this is not appropriate, such as when a company needs large quantities of IP addresses to distribute to its downstream customers. When this situation occurs, an organisation will request to set up an LIR and therefore become a member of AFRINIC as an LIR. They can then request resources and services directly from AFRINIC. This document outlines the process that an organisation must follow to become a member of AFRINIC.
1.1 Terminology
Clarification of the terms used by the AFRINIC community:
To allocate means to distribute address space to Internet Registries (IRs) for the purpose of subsequent distribution by them.
To assign means to delegate address space to an ISP or End User, for specific use within the Internet infrastructure they operate. Assignments must only be made for specific purposes documented by specific organisations and are not to be sub-assigned to other parties.
Regional Internet Registries are established and authorised by respective regional communities, and recognised by the IANA to serve and represent large geographical regions.
The primary role of RIRs is to manage and distribute public Internet address space within their respective regions.
A Local Internet Registry is an IR that primarily assigns address space to the users of the network services that it provides. LIRs are generally ISPs, whose customers are primarily End Users and possibly other ISPs.
2.0 Who can set up a Local Internet Registry?
Any organisation that requires services from AFRINIC is entitled to become a member of AFRINIC. AFRINIC can only accept membership applications from organisations that have a registered legal entity located in AFRINIC service region.
Although there are no qualifying criteria to become a member, Membership of AFRINIC does not necessarily qualify to receive an allocation of IP addresses.
Certain qualifying criteria must be met to receive an allocation of IP addresses. These criteria are described in the AFRINIC Document "IPv4 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies in AFRINIC region"and the "IPv6 Address Allocation and Assignment Policy''.
2.1 Responsibilities of a Local Internet Registry
The LIR holds certain responsibilities for the assignment of IP addresses that it makes from its allocated blocks. These responsibilities include:
2.1.1 Making the right assignment decisions following assignment policies as described in the AFRINIC Document "IPv4 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies in AFRINIC region".
2.1.2 Keeping records of the information gathered in the assignment process.
2.1.3 Storing assignment and sub-allocation information in the AFRINIC Database and keeping this information up-to-date. These responsibilities are described in the AFRINIC Document "AFRINIC Database Reference Manual''.
2.2 Business considerations
When changing upstream providers, an organisation that does not operate an LIR will probably have to renumber their networks and return the formerly used address space to the LIR that assigned the address space. Organisations operating an LIR do not depend on others for assigning address space to their own or their customers networks. On the other hand, operating an LIR can take up a certain amount of time and financial resources that should not be underestimated.
2.3 Other considerations
All organisations that currently make efficient use of 1024 IPv4 addresses (a /22) or fewer must agree to renumber all address space when they become an LIR and receive allocation from AFRINIC. Additionally, they must return the ranges to the upstream provider upon receipt of their first allocation from AFRINIC. This is described in AFRINIC document "IPv4 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies in AFRINIC region".
Organisations currently operating an LIR that wish to establish another one must provide AFRINIC with a valid reason for the need of an additional LIR. In this case AFRINIC may require extra information to help us understand and process this request.
3.0 Setting up an LIR
An organisation is required to complete the Membership application procedure in order to set up an LIR at AFRINIC. Please note that much communication is needed between the LIR and AFRINIC to ensure that the Organisation fulfills the requirements and understands all the responsibilities behind becoming an LIR. All communication is conducted via e-mail and in the English language.
The steps need to be performed in the order specified below.
Step 1: Completing the AFRINIC Services Agreement
AFRINIC will need to collect administrative information about the new LIR such as address and telephone numbers, names of contact persons and billing information (including your VAT number if your billing address is in Mauritius). This needs to be filled in the AFRINIC Services Agreement which will form the official contract between the LIR and AFRINIC once signed.
The Service Agreement is available or alternatively, you can fill in the online version of the form on the New Membership Registration Portal (NMRP)
Signing this agreement means that all persons registered as LIR contacts are obliged to abide by the LIR policies and procedures outlined by AFRINIC and the AFRINIC community. Please note that LIR contacts are the only people from the LIR who can request services from AFRINIC.
The service agreement must be signed by a representative of the LIR who holds the power to sign contracts (usually a director). Please include the title of the person signing the agreement as well as the name of the organisation, the location where the agreement was signed and the date it was signed. Please do not alter the layout or content of the service agreement. Please send the signed service agreement to AFRINIC by postal mail.
Registered and courier mail can be sent to:
AFRINIC Ltd11th Floor, Standard Chartered Tower
Ebene Cyber City
Mauritius
AFRINIC can only give services to organisations that operate as legal entities in the AFRINIC service region. Therefore, together with the "The AFRINIC Service Agreement", AFRINIC may require you to send a copy of your organisation's registration with the local Chamber of Commerce, or the equivalent. AFRINIC will only accept a signed copy of "The Service Agreement" in the English language.
A registry identifier ("ORG-ID-") will be assigned to you by AFRINIC once payment is effected. The registry identifier is used to identify you as an LIR and distinguish you from other organisations. The format for the ORG-ID is:
ORG-<name>-AFRINIC e.g. ORG-BAO23-AFRINIC
It is the responsibility of the LIR to keep the information supplied in the application form up-to-date. The information provided in the application form is not stored in the AFRINIC WHOIS Database. To change any information about the LIR or check the current contents, please send an e-mail to billing@afrinic.net, and include the ORG-ID in the subject or body of the mail.
Please note that AFRINIC may ask for more information.
Step 2: Payment of fees
After Step 1 is completed ("Completing the AFRINIC Membership Application Form") AFRINIC will send an invoice to the billing address as specified by the prospective member according to "AFRINIC fees schedule". The amount on the invoice must be paid before the LIR receives services from AFRINIC, such as requesting address space or attending an LIR Training Course.
Upon receipt of the signed service agreement and registration documents (e.g. the Chamber of Commerce form) AFRINIC will verify that the invoice has been paid. AFRINIC financial services will then raise the service level of the LIR, that will enable it to start using the services of AFRINIC.
The new member will receive an invoice from AFRINIC that includes the one time start-up fee and yearly LIR membership fee. The start-up fee is used partially to pay for the LIR Training Courses that all new registered contacts are encouraged to attend. These fees are agreed by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AFRINIC and therefore are subject to change from year to year.
Please read more about the AFRINIC fees schedule
Each LIR is assigned a category (i.e. Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large) on which the yearly fees are based. The categories are determined by the size of the IP block received from AFRINIC. A special billing category called "Enterprise/End-User" applies to LIRs that only assign addresses to their own organisations networks and not to customers.
Please note that the LIR billing process begins right after the completion of Step 1 (and NOT upon LIR first address space request). If an organisation takes up membership but does not request address space until months later, they are still required to pay for the Membership-Only fee.
Be aware that most LIRs are not set up overnight and that it is best to apply well in advance of the operation date. Please consider one month to be a guideline for the completion of the application as an LIR.
Questions regarding billing and payments should be sent to: billing@afrinic.net.
4.0 Requesting address space for the first time
After an organisation has officially set up an LIR, AFRINIC will send a message to notify the LIR that the set-up has been completed. At this time the LIR should use the hostmaster@afrinic.net mailbox for requesting address space or AS Numbers.
Policy or registry-related questions can be sent to lir-help@afrinic.net. Please do not send address space requests to that address.
To request IPv4 address space please submit a "First Allocation Request Form".
5.0 Training courses
AFRINIC offers LIR Training Courses given by AFRINIC staff. Courses are paid for through the membership contribution. The course covers the following areas; the AFRINIC Whois database, IP address policies, reverse delegation, the routing registry, and AS numbers. The training course is open only to members of AFRINIC. We strongly recommend that new members send one or two of their staff members to this training course. For information on LIR Training Courses, location and dates of future LIR Training Courses, course material, policies and objectives, please see the AFRINIC Academy.