Draft Policy ARIN-2024-5

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Rewrite of NRPM Section 4.4 Micro-Allocation

Staff Understanding: Staff understands that this draft policy seeks to address certain ambiguities in the current policy language and formalize existing ARIN practices.

Under current practice, Internet exchange points (IXPs) are typically allocated a /24. Requests for allocations larger than a /24 are evaluated based on other policies outlined in Section 4, including utilization requirements. The draft policy clarifies that IP addresses issued under Section 4.4 are intended exclusively for operational use directly related to the IXP and not for other purposes.

The policy resolves any ambiguity regarding the routing of IXP space and specifies that IP addresses allocated under this policy may be made publicly reachable at the operator’s discretion. The draft also establishes that a qualified recipient may request up to a 24-month supply of IPv4 addresses for the IXP. Any justifications for allocations beyond a /24 will be reviewed in accordance with the relevant policies in Section 4.

Staff notes the change of “the RIRs” to “ARIN” in the list of examples of critical infrastructure providers of the Internet. This aligns with ARIN’s current business practice.

In section 4.4, staff suggests removing “Only Section 8.2 transfers are allowed” since this text is a duplication of the transfer requirements in section 8.3. Transfers Between Specified Recipients Within the ARIN Region and Section 8.4. Inter-RIR Transfers to Specified Recipients. Both section 8.3 and 8.4 already state “Address resources from a reserved pool (including those designated in Section 4.4 and 4.10) are not eligible for transfer.”

In section 4.4, staff suggests replacing, “Addresses allocated from this pool may be revoked if they are no longer in use or not used for approved purposes,” with, “Previous allocations under this policy must continue to meet the justification requirements of this policy.” This is consistent with other policy requirements for reserved pools, such as section 4.10.

In section 4.4.3, staff recommends removing the / in front of “/24-month”.

In section 4.4.3, staff suggests referencing section 4.2.4.1 for utilization requirement instead of duplicating the text in the NRPM.

Implementable as Written?: Yes

Impact on ARIN Registry Operations and Services: None

Legal Review: No material legal issue

Implementation Timeframe Estimate: 3 Months

Implementation Requirements:

  • Staff Training
  • Updates to public documentation
  • Updates to internal procedures and guidelines

Proposal/Draft Policy Text Assessed: 6 March 2025

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