On Thu, Apr 08, 2010 at 06:05:09PM -0500, Dan White wrote:
What, if any, plan exists to improve the utilization density of the existant IPv4 pool?
I believe your question is based on an outdated assumption.
and that outdated assumption is?
The assumption that ARIN allocations are based on anything other than 12-24 month need (with only a few exceptions).
allocations are based on: ) current policy ) demonstrated need always have (even pre-ARIN, pre-RIR) ... when the policy was "there is a network and host split" then every qualified applicant got a /8. and your point about getting "enough" for a 12-24 month need backs up my assertion that you are allocated more than you need. there is some "padding" for you to grow into. which you may or may not do. strict needs based allocation would give you -exactly- what you need at the time of the request - sort of like a DHCP assignment no?
If there are a significant number of sparse allocations of IPv4 blocks in ARIN, then that's a good indication that allocation rules need to be updated.
the tricky parts there are: ) how is utilization defined? ) how to accomodate historical and legacy delegations that had different assignment rules than are currently in effect. ) is it -worth- the cost to effectively manage a resource pool or are we willing to unilterally declare a "chernobyl Zone of Alienation" around the IPv4 pool that we have, by our own unwillingness, agreed to consider "toxic" and too costly to manage... and proceed to use the exact same policies/procedures on the IPv6 pool - which despite zelots claims to the contrary - is finite and we stand a very real chance of screwing it up too. I'd like to see the community work toward a real 80% utiliztion of the IPv4 pool (since I know for a fact taht there is lots of sparse allocation out there...) Just saying.
-- Dan White