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APNIC 23 » Minutes » Database SIG

Minutes for the Database SIG

Wednesday 28 February 2007, International Convention Centre, Bali, Indonesia

Meeting commenced: 16:00

Chair: Xing Li
Co-chair: Vacant

Contents

  1. New features in the RIPE Database
  2. Whois privacy update from JPNIC
  3. Providing a subset of the whois data via DNS
  4. MyAPNIC new features
  5. A brief review and possible future directions
  6. Draft SIG guidelines
  1. New features in the RIPE Database

    Andrei Robachevsky, RIPE NCC

    • Presentation [pdf]

    This presentation described the new features added to the RIPE Database, noting that APNIC also used the RIPE code. One of the main developments was the deprecation of CRYPT-PW as part of an ongoing effort to make the database more secure. The other developments included DNS provisioning system, IRT object, 32-bit ASN support, and the new org type "OTHER".

    Questions and discussion

    • The impact on APNIC from these changes was explained. APNIC had implemented the 32-bit ASN update. The deprecation of CRYPT-PW has not been done as it would need discussion in the APNIC community first. The IRT object has not received much interest in this region so there was currently no push to implement the change. It was noted that the IRT object raises more coordination issues than technical ones.

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  2. Whois privacy update from JPNIC

    Izumi Okutani, JPNIC

    This presentation described JPNIC's practice of protecting private data in whois. There was a small but growing number of assignments greater than /29 for residential networks in Japan, which had raised the need for privacy protection. JPNIC sought to protect privacy in a way consistent with the function of whois. JPNIC's solution was to hide the postal code and address and the email address used to make the last change, although this was maintained in JPNIC's records. JPNIC also allowed role contacts to be registered as admin and technical contacts. The presenter also suggested that in the future, all detail could be hidden except the network range and contact addresses.

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  3. Providing a subset of the whois data via DNS

    Ms Shuang Zhu, CERNET

    This presentation described an idea for providing a subset of whois via DNS. The presenter argued this would overcome the problem of determining the AS origin of IP addresses. The presenter noted that IRRs were not effective at solving this problem as many ISPs did not use or update the IRR databases. In addition, non-RIR databases had no effective checks and therefore no guarantee of accuracy. The presenter provided an example of how DNS could be used to easily and accurately publish the AS origin of their routes.

    Questions and discussion

    • It was noted that Team Cymru maintains a server designed to do an AS to IP lookup. It had some accuracy issues due to the source of its data, but it may provide some help in solving the same problems.
    • It was noted that this presentation included great ideas for redundancy, but that the delay in updating may cause some problems. However, it was noted that the use of local text records should mean that there would be no delays. It was confirmed that the intention was to use this in addition to the IRRs.
    • It was noted that this idea was derived from the route view project from the University of Oregon.

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  4. MyAPNIC new features

    Sanjaya, APNIC

    This presentation outlined the recent developments of MyAPNIC, APNIC's secure web portal for resource and account management. The new features included resource information sorting, IPv6 assignments, 4-byte ASNs, opt-out tools for APNIC announcements, voting contacts, 12 month billing history, and the ability to view and print invoices. It was reported that MyAPNIC now had the ability to do real time updates to whois, and had a new feature allowing prefix history reports.

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  5. A brief review and possible future directions

    Xing Li, CERNET

    The Chair outlined the history of the DB SIG, including a breakdown of the different types of presentations that had been given. It was observed that it can be quite hard to attract presentations for this SIG. It was noted that security and privacy have been the major issues discussed. It was also noted that Dr Hakikur had resigned as Co-chair. There was a call for nominations for the Chair and Co-chair positions.

    Questions and discussion

    • Ching-Heng Ku from TWNIC volunteered to be the Co-chair.
    • There was a suggestion to review of the charter of the DB SIG. It was suggested that the definition of database be broadened to include other whois databases.
    • There was a suggestion to consider whether the DB SIG content could be broken up and streamed into some of the other SIGs and APOPS.
    • There was a question regarding where certification issues should be discussed.
    • It was suggested that the SIG be rechartered to focus on security or resource management.

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  6. Draft SIG guidelines

    Xing Li, CERNET

    • Presentation [pdf]

    The Chair discussed the draft SIG guidelines document, which has been created to provide better guidance to Chairs on how to conduct a SIG. All participants were encouraged to read the document.

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  7. Meeting closed: 17:15

    Minuted by: Gerard Ross

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