On 11/12/12, Jim Mercer <jim@reptiles.org> wrote:
Hi, > Is there a common practice of providers to vet / validate requests to advertise > blocks?
Who is the "authority" when it comes to determining if a request for routing > is valid? Defined by routing policy of the provider considering the request, and
There is a common practice of providers to require an initial Letter of authorization from the org listed in WHOIS when first setting up, and manual request to allow the prefix or entry of the route in an internet routing registry, for end users to originate prefixes. their upstreams.
Is it the WHOIS data maintained by the various RIR? WHOIS data is often used for that purpose; the basic information about the organization listed as registrant of the block is considered authoritative, in general.
It seems I'm playing whack-a-mole to get some routes shut down for some blocks I've taken over admin for.
It would probably help to submit to them in writing, that the org responsible for the block never authorized the space to be announced by the provider originating it, inform that their unauthorized announcement is causing network issues and costing money, and request that they suppress it. If that's not the case, e.g. if at any time there was bonafide authorization, then the dispute is something to be discussed with the downstream org. still routing the block. If their peers question them about it, they might have the prior LOA on file to show the peers; it is not as if such things expire, or can necessarily be easily withdrawn, it depends on the agreement that allowed the advertisement to be authorized, in that case. Listing of an e-mail address in WHOIS as an admin contact, does not necessarily imply authority that a provider is entitled to rely upon, to tell a peer to shutdown the network.
If I email the contacts for the AS in WHOIS, and get no response, or a negative response, should I start going to their peers?
It's an option. Their peers may summarily ignore the request to disrupt the network by "shutting down" a customer's announcements, though, on the word of an email, if it's not very obvious that they are bad announcements. You may need to email and call, and possibly fax and mail.
Some practical advice would be appreciated. -- Jim Mercer Reptilian Research jim@reptiles.org +1 416 410-5633 -- -JH