Dear Colleagues,
A new version of the proposal "prop-165: Provision of IPv4 Address Space to IPv6-only Networks for Transitional Purpose" has been sent to the Policy SIG for review. Information about earlier versions is available from: https://www.apnic.net/community/policy/proposals/prop-165/ We invite you to review and comment on the proposal on the mailing list before the OPM. The comment on the mailing list before the OPM is an important part of the Policy Development Process (PDP). We encourage you to express your views on the proposal: · Do you support or oppose the proposal? · Is there anything in the proposal that is not clear? · What changes could be made to this proposal to make it more effective? · Does this proposal solve a problem you are experiencing? If so, tell the community about your situation. Please find the text of the proposal below. Regards, Bikram, Shaila, and Ching-Heng APNIC Policy SIG Chairs ------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- prop-165-v003 : Provision of IPv4 Address Space to IPv6-only Networks for Transitional Purpose--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposer: Tomohiro [email protected] Hiroki Kawabata 1. Problem statement ------------------------------------------------------- This proposal seeks to allow organisations that qualify for an initial IPv6 allocation to receive a limited IPv4 delegation, specifically a /24 block, upon request. As IPv6-only deployments become more common, network operators still require a small amount of IPv4 space for transition-related services such as: - DNS resolvers - Mail gateways - Network monitoring systems - Access to legacy IPv4-only services Under the current policy framework, organisations deploying IPv6-only networks may face difficulties satisfying IPv4 justification requirements despite requiring only a minimal amount of IPv4 address space. This proposal intends to facilitate IPv6-only deployment while preserving the conservation principles governing APNIC's remaining IPv4 address pool. 2. Objective of policy change ------------------------------------------------------- The proposal aims to: - Support deployment of IPv6-only networks. - Reduce barriers for new IPv6 network operators. - Provide only the minimum IPv4 resources necessary for transitional functions. - Ensure that allocations made under this policy remain consistent with Final /8 conservation principles. - Prevent stockpiling, transfer, leasing, and speculative acquisition of IPv4 resources. - Allow the policy to automatically cease when IPv4 scarcity reaches a predefined threshold. 3. Situation in other regions ------------------------------------------------------- No Regional Internet Registry currently maintains a policy identical to this proposal. However, there are precedents where IPv4 allocation policies were specifically adjusted to facilitate IPv6 deployment activities. For example, ARIN implemented NRPM Section 4.10, Dedicated IPv4 Block to Facilitate IPv6 Deployment. Under this policy, IPv4 address space was reserved specifically for organisations deploying IPv6 transition infrastructure. Examples included Internet Exchange Points, IPv6 DNS infrastructure, and other services necessary to support IPv6 deployment. The principle behind ARIN's policy was that limited access to IPv4 resources should not become a barrier to IPv6 deployment. This proposal follows a similar principle. Organisations deploying IPv6-only networks may still require a small amount of IPv4 address space for transitional functions such as DNS resolution, mail gateways, monitoring systems, and interoperability with IPv4-only services. While the ARIN policy was developed in a different address availability environment, it demonstrates that the Internet community has previously recognised the need to use a limited amount of IPv4 resources to accelerate IPv6 deployment rather than impede it. Unlike historical policies developed when IPv4 inventories were larger, this proposal incorporates additional conservation measures appropriate to APNIC's current environment, including: - limitation to a single IPv4 /24 delegation; - inclusion within Final /8 eligibility limits; - prohibition of transfer and leasing; - periodic review of continued need; - mandatory return requirements; and - an automatic sunset mechanism when remaining IPv4 resources fall below a predefined threshold. These safeguards ensure that the proposal supports IPv6 deployment while maintaining responsible stewardship of APNIC's remaining IPv4 address pool. 4. Proposed policy solution ------------------------------------------------------- Add a new section to APNIC address management policy as follows: Eligibility Organisations eligible to receive an initial IPv6 allocation under current APNIC policy may request a single IPv4 /24 delegation under this policy. Applicants must provide a brief declaration describing: - the intended IPv6-only deployment; - the transitional services requiring IPv4 connectivity; and - acknowledgement of the conditions associated with the IPv4 delegation. No detailed host-based IPv4 justification shall be required. Delegation size The maximum delegation size shall be one IPv4 /24. Only one delegation under this policy may be issued to any organisation. Relationship with Final /8 policy IPv4 address space delegated under this policy: - shall be sourced from the Final /8 pool; - shall count toward the recipient's maximum IPv4 entitlement under current APNIC policy; - shall not increase the total IPv4 holdings permitted to the recipient organisation. Conditions of use The delegated IPv4 address block: - must be used solely to support IPv6-only network operations and related transitional functions; - must not be transferred; - must not be permanently reassigned to another organisation. Periodic review APNIC may periodically request confirmation that: - the IPv6-only deployment remains operational; and - the delegated IPv4 resources remain necessary for transitional purposes. Failure to provide such information may result in revocation of the delegation. Return requirements The IPv4 address block delegated under this policy must be returned if: - the associated IPv6 allocation is returned; - the IPv6-only deployment ceases operation; - the IPv4 resources are no longer required for transitional purposes; or - the conditions of this policy are no longer satisfied. Sunset provision To preserve the remaining IPv4 address pool, APNIC shall cease issuing new delegations under this policy when any of the following conditions is met: 1. APNIC projects that the IPv4 address space available for delegation under the Final /8 Policy will be exhausted within six months, based on the average allocation rate during the preceding twelve-month period; or 2. The amount of IPv4 address space available for delegation under the Final /8 Policy falls below a threshold determined by the APNIC community; or 3. The APNIC Executive Council determines that continued operation of this policy would materially threaten equitable access to remaining IPv4 resources. Upon activation of the sunset provision: - no new delegations shall be issued under this policy; - existing delegations may continue subject to compliance with this policy; - APNIC shall publish a notice indicating that the sunset condition has been triggered. 5. Advantages / Disadvantages ------------------------------------------------------- Advantages: - Encourages deployment of IPv6-only networks. - Provides a practical solution for limited IPv4 operational requirements. - Limits IPv4 consumption to a single /24. - Preserves consistency with existing Final /8 principles. - Includes safeguards against transfer, leasing, and stockpiling. - Includes periodic review and return requirements. - Includes an automatic sunset mechanism to protect remaining IPv4 resources. Disadvantages: - Requires additional administrative processing by APNIC. - Consumes a limited amount of remaining IPv4 address space. - Some compliance verification relies on self-declaration by resource holders. - Interpretation of "IPv6-only network support" may require operational judgement in specific cases. 6. Impact on resource holders ------------------------------------------------------- Minimal impact expected. Only a single /24 allocation per eligible IPv6 PA applicant, with restrictions to prevent misuse. 7. References -------------------------------------------------------
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