I hate to pile on, but Andrea is right. I had absolutely no problem getting any of my ARIN numbers because I wrote an essay about my network. I though at the time that it was a waste of my time but have come to understand even more about my network than before. Even if you know your network and what you need like the back of your hand, ARIN doesn't. They don't even really want to. On an initial allocation they don't know "JACK" about you. You need to supply them with a reason to trust you and pouring out your network "guts" on the request usually does the trick. JMHO Brian Johnson Internet Operations Specialist Northern Valley Communications
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu] On Behalf Of Andrea Abrahamsen Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 1:01 PM To: Richard A Steenbergen; nanog@merit.edu Subject: Re: Independent space from ARIN
Richard A Steenbergen wrote:
* Why have I NEVER been able to submit an ARIN request
without receiving
a response asking for information I included in the original request.
I would say it's because you need to explain yourself more clearly in your requests. You can never give them too much information, so bowl them over with all the detail you can possibly muster up. And if you find they're asking for similar information every time, perhaps including that information in the initial application would negate the need for a clarification.
Bottom line - you have to type a lot. Sorry.
* Why do we have to submit to the equivalent of an IP anal
probe, and
cough up extremely detailed documentation on network architectures and the use of every IP address.
I think this goes without saying. How else can the Internet community be assurred of efficient address space utilization on both a local and global level ? If you can't justify the need for IP space, no soup for you. It's inconvenient, but it has to be done to ensure proper utilization.
* Why any of this "police state" is necessary given that
the shortage of
IPv4 addresses seems to be artifically created. There are still tons of IP addresses that are either unallocated, unreasonably allocated (hey Merit, lets see your documentation on 35.0.0.0/8 :P), or long dead and never reclaimed. Only 32% of the available IPv4 space is being announced, where is the shortage?
See above - if there wasn't the policing in place, you wouldn't be asking this question. The shortage isn't the reason for ARIN's policies. Ongoing scalability and sustainability from local accountability and adherence to good practice is.
* Why do we have to pay very large sums of money ($2500+
minimum) for this wonderful IP policing service. Where in
per year at a the heck does
all that money go?
The flaming pitchforks ? :)
* Why does ARIN have no problem assigning large blocks of unallocated space (usually 2x or more) around a new "customer" to accomodate for future growth, but have policies preventing ISPs from doing the same (aka 80% utilization for more space).
Because they need to give them something to start off with, then adjust future allocations based on their growth.
Networks who have demonstrated the need for a certain size block will get that size block based on past usage. If their utilization increases, they may have to apply early. In doing so, they may demonstrate that a larger block is needed this time. How's that for a benefit.
* Etc etc etc, not counting the problems that have already been mentioned.
Yes, if you take the time to try and figure out what goes on inside the minds of ARIN, you'll find that some of the people actually do try to be useful human beings. But most of us don't have the time or desire to do that, we just want a system that works. I don't think the current system meets anyone's standard for useful, efficient, or cost effective.
There is no such thing as a shortage of time, only a shortage of priority. Giving ARIN what they want takes time and can be a pain in the nether regions, but it is a necessary evil. The system works if you take the time and attention to make it work for you.
Andrea Abrahamsen Software Engineer, Intelligent Network Services Cisco Systems