[sig-policy] Policy Proposal for End Site allocation policy for IPv6

[Geoff Huston <gih@apnic.net>]

Submitters Names: Randy Bush, IIJ, Geoff Huston, APNIC

SIG: Policy

Title: End Site Allocation policy for IPv6

Introduction:

This policy proposal proposes to amend the APNIC IPv6 address allocation
policies regarding the definition of the default size of End Site
assignments, and specify the calculation of address utilization  efficiency
relating to subsequent allocation criteria.


Rationale:

The current IPv6 Address Allocation and Assignment Policy (APNIC-089)
indicates that end sites should be allocated a /48 as a uniform allocation
states unit.

This proposal alters the existing policy regarding LIR and ISP assignments
to End Sites to allow the unit of assignment to be an LIR or ISP decision.

In assessing the address utilization efficiency for ISPs or LIRs, the
definition of an End Site for the purposes of the calculation of ISP or LIR
End Site allocation efficiency is to be made according to a /56 size.

For the purpose of evaluating LIR and End Site IPv6 IP address allocation
efficiency using the HD ratio, the starting bit position used in the
calculation is to be bit position 56.

This measure, if undertaken generally by all RIRs, and assuming that
further measures are undertaken by the addressing community regarding the
HD ratio to a larger value, would increase the anticipated useful lifetime
of IPv6 to encompass a period in excess of 100 years during which period no
further allocation policy changes would be anticipated to encompass a
relatively encompassing diversity of future IPv6 deployment scenarios.

A more detailed rationale is available in Geoff Huston's presentation on
the subject, at RIPE 50, which can be found at:
http://www.ripe.net/ripe/meetings/ripe-50/presentations/ripe50-plenary-wed-ipv6-roundtable-report.pdf

Situation in other RIRs:

A comparable policy proposal as been submitted to RIPE and ARIN

Details:

   End User Allocations:

   End Users are assigned an End Site assignment from their LIR or ISP. The
   size of the assignment is a local decision for the LIR or ISP to make,
   using a minimum value of a /64 (only one subnet is anticipated for the
   End Site).

   ISPs and LIRs:

   ISPs and LIRs may chose whether to make changes to their procedures for
   assigning address blocks to End Sites. The threshold End Site allocation
   efficiency level is between 20% to 50% for most ISPs and LIRs when based
   on a 0.94 HD Ratio.

   APNIC:

   APNIC will amend its IPv6 allocation criteria to reflect the use of an
   HD ratio with the size calculation starting at bit position 56  as the
   unitary metric in the calculation of the ISP or LIR's end site
   allocation efficiency.

Appendix - References

This material is not formally part of the Policy Proposal. It is included 
here for informational purposes.

1. The IPv6 Address Plan - Geoff Huston
http://www.potaroo.net/ispcol/2005-07/ipv6size.html

2. Internet Draft: Issues Related to the Management of IPv6 Address Space -
Thomas Narten
http://tools.ietf.org/wg/ipv6/draft-narten-iana-rir-ipv6-considerations-00.txt


3. Internet Draft: IPv6 Address Allocation to End Sites - Thomas Narten,
Geoff Huston & Lea Roberts
http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-narten-ipv6-3177bis-48boundary-00.txt