IPv6 Provider Independent (PI) Assignment for End-Sites | AFPUB-2007-v6-001

1) Incentive

The current policy does not allow IPv6 provider independent (PI) address assignment to any 'end-sites'. In addition, lack of IPv6 transport will compel many 'end-sites' to tunnel. Thus, to avoid renumbering when IPv6 transport will be available, a provider independent assignment seems reasonable. More so, not all LIR's have IPv6 address space allocations. This makes it impossible for end-users to get PA IPv6 address space from such upstreams (LIR's). This policy is also aimed at providing IPv6 address space to such end-users as long as they already have or qualify to get PI IPv4 addresses.

2) Introduction

This policy allows 'end-sites' to be assigned IPv6 provider independent (PI) addresses. 'end-sites' include End-Users who already have or qualify to get IPv4 PI addresses and critical Infrastructure providers such as TLD root server operators and public Internet eXchange Points (IXP's).

3) Current Situation

AfriNIC has discussed similar proposals recently during it's last two Open Policy meetings but both proposals have been returned to the public mailing lists for further discussion due to lack of consensus.

• ARIN: 6 months
• APNIC: 12 months
• LACNIC: 3 months
• RIPE: 24 months

4) Details

1. Assignment target - End-sites which provide Public Internet services for a single administrative organisations' network, regardless of their size.
2. Assignment criteria:
   • The end-site must not be an IPv6 LIR
   • The end-site must become an AfriNIC End User Member and pay the normal AfriNIC fee for its' membership category
   • The end site must either:
     • be a holder of IPv4 PI address space or
     • qualify for an IPv4 PI assignment from AfriNIC under the IPv4 policy currently in effect.
   • The end-site must justify the need for the IPv6 PI address space.
   • The 'end-site' must show a plan to use and announce the IPv6 provider independent address space within twelve (12) months. After that period, if not announced, the assigned IPv6 PI address space should be reclaimed and returned to the free pool by AfriNIC.
3. Provider Independent (PI) address space:
   • The provider independent (PI) assignment should be made from a specific block.
   • The intial provider independent assignment size to an end-site should be a /48, or a shorter prefix if the end-site can justify it

5) Effect on AfriNIC

No direct effect on the existing AfriNIC members, nor changes to the current IPv6 allocation criteria.

6) Acknowledgments

Thanks to Adiel Akplogan, Frank Habitch and Jordi Palet for their contribution.