Separate Assignment Policies for End-Users and ISPs

Izumi Okutani, Japan Network Information Center

Background

Currently, there are two types of network which global addresses are assigned: ISPs' network and end-users' network. As you can see from the definition below, they are used for quite different purposes.

• End-users' network: Network constructed for the end-users' own use
• ISPs' network: Network constructed to provide service to end-user's customers

As a result of the difference in their purpose, the attributes are also quite different:

Attributes of End users' network

• In most cases, requires global address for their servers: their number is unlikely to change drastically within a year.
• It will be used for their own network: easier to make a realistic and accurate estimation.
• Doesn't require a large number of global addresses: even for a very large company, the number of network equipment that requires a global address can only be so much.

Attributes of ISPs' network

• ISP's network is constructed for their end users' and not for their own use: network topology depends on the number of end-users they have.
• Requires a large number at once: at least two digits.

However, under the current policy, the same assignment policy of "assignments based on 1 year's estimation" applies to both end users' and ISPs' and networks despite the difference in their purpose and attributes.

Having the same policy for these two different types of network leads to the problems described in the next section.

Therefore, I would like to propose making a separate assignment policy for ISPs' networks, i.e. assess their needs on the actual usage rather than one year's estimate.

Problems with the current assignment policy

It is not realistic to make assignments on one-year's needs for ISPs' networks for the following reasons:

• From the fast changing nature of the internet business, there a higher chance of actual needs not matching the initial estimation: You never know if the services they are providing will still be on the market after a year, and it is difficult to make an accurate estimation of the needs for ISP's network, even for those who are doing the business themselves
• The numbers they request are large; a greater number of global addresses will be wasted if the needs were overestimated.
• Consistency between ISPs: ISPs which request for allocation will have their needs assessed on approximately three months basis, while those which request for address assignment will have their needs assessed on one year span.

Proposal

Make a separate policy for assignments for ISPs' networks: do not assess its needs on 1 year's estimation, but on the actual usage.

Here is the current practice at JPNIC:

Assignment for existing services

We make assessments based on the needs they had in past one year, and approve what a hostmaster considers appropriate. This may not necessarily be the amount of address expected to be required in one year. The information that we base our judgment varies depends on the service, and the details are listed below:

Dial-up services

We make assessments based on the following information:

• The increase in the number of equipment and PRI: 3months/6 months/1 year
• User: address ratios
• The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
• The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly basis

By asking for monthly record and estimate, we are able to see the trend in the increase of customers and see if their estimate is realistic. Furthermore, the monthly estimate allows us to make more fine judgment to meet its needs for a particular duration.

Cable services

We make assessments based on the following information:

• User: address ratios
• The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
• The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly basis
• List of current customers

Hosting services

• User: address ratios
• The number of customers for the past one-year on monthly basis
• The number of customers estimated for the next one year on monthly basis
• List of current customers

Please note that there may be other source of reference if the information listed above is not appropriate to see the needs of that particular network.

Assignment for new services

For new services, we do ask for the monthly estimate for one-year, but since it has no past records, it is difficult to see if their estimation is realistic.

Therefore, we approve the amount of address to meet their immediate needs, and then ask them to make a request again when their needs exceeds this block.

We judge the "immediate needs" by looking at various references such as their monthly estimate, asking what they consider is reasonable and in the case of dial-up services, by the equipment they would have purchased at the time of the start-up, etc. This depends on the case, so it is difficult to give a reference that applies to all cases.

By the time they make the second request, they would be able to provide us with more information on the number of customers for the service, so we would have more evidence to base our judgment, and may give approval for more long term needs.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Assignment based on the actual use, not estimation.
• Allows more fine assessment.

Cons

• May be difficult to draw the line between ISPs and end-users' networks in some special cases

Conclusion

Having a separate policy for ISP assignments based on the actual usage, and not on 1 year's estimate will lead to more efficient use of the address, and match the current practice.

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