It appears Iljitsch would have been correct to say "there is no _new_ PI in IPv6 unless you're an internet exchange or a root server." As long as this remains true, there are nearly a dozen identified reasons why people would want/need ULAs, which was the original point of this subthread.
The point of the thread, in my opinion, is that changing the RIR policy to support the needs met by ULA makes more sense than creating a separate registry system and defining multiple address classes which are theoretically routable and unroutable. Especially when we consider that the definition of unroutable is very fuzzy at best.
The RIRs, of course, are free to make IPv6 PI space available, and most of the justification for ULAs would disappear if that were to occur. However, there is no indication that this is coming, so absent any other ways to meet those needs, ULAs have a purpose.
Yes... Undermining the policy process of the RIRs. Other than that, they have no purpose.
speaking as someone who's had too much coffee today, it seems possible that the preponderance of arin's membership could prefer a pure transit world to a mixed transit/IXP world.
I'm not holding my breath waiting for ARIN's members -- largely ISPs -- to approve end sites getting IPv6 PI space, something that would make multihoming more likely, reduce customer lock-in, and increase routing table sizes; it's contrary to their collective interests.
ARINs members do _NOT_ approve policy. The BOT approves policy. The BOT only approves policy after it is recommended by the AC. The AC is not made up of ARIN members, and, is not elected by ARIN members. They are elected by the ARIN community at large. Basically, ANYONE can vote. The AC recommends policy to the BOT based on consensus and discussion on the PPML and at the ARIN Public Policy meetings (twice a year). While it is true that a majority of the people who show up are ISPs, there is no price of admission for joining and participating in the PPML, and, the registration fee for the meetings is quite nominal. Decisions are made by those who participate. If you want input into the ARIN policies, then, participate in the policy process. If you thing it's someone elses job to make ARIN policy, then, accept the job they are doing, or, contribute. Owen (Who is not an ARIN member, but, has been quite active in ARIN policy for the last 2 years). -- If this message was not signed with gpg key 0FE2AA3D, it's probably a forgery.