On 22 July 2010, the Chair of the Address Supporting Organization Address Council (ASO AC) forwarded a Proposed Global Policy for Autonomous System Numbers, ASNs, for ratification by the ICANN Board. This policy proposal modifies the existing Global Policy for Autonomous System Numbers, ASNs, by extending the period during which the RIRs can operate two separate pools of numbers until 31 December 2010. An Autonomous System Number (ASN) is a number used to uniquely identify a network connected to more than one other network that also controls its own routing policy. The current policy supports the introduction of 32-bit ASNs with a timeline during which RIRs can operate distinct pools of 16-bit and 32-bit ASNs. That timeline ended on 31 December 2009 and requires ICANN to now treat all ASNs as coming from a single pool of numbers.
The reason for the proposal is that some equipment and software vendors have been slower to offer support for 32-bit ASNs than was originally anticipated by the addressing community. This may create a problem in case a new network needs a 16-bit ASN that the relevant RIR cannot assign as its pool of 16-bit ASNs is empty, nor can the RIR request more such ASNs from IANA as the RIR still has an ample supply of 32-bit ASNs. By extending the period during which RIRs can operate distinct pools of 16-bit and 32-bit ASNs, the RIRs will be able to make sure they have sufficient 16-bit ASNs to meet the needs within their regions while vendors complete their implementations of 32-bit ASN capabilities.
For the full text of the proposal, click here [PDF, 69 KB].
The development of Global Internet Number Resource Policies is the subject of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ASO/NRO and ICANN. There are also specific ICANN Board Review Procedures for handling global policy proposals in this context. In line with the procedures, ICANN is issuing a 21-day final call for public comments on the proposal, closing on 13 August 2010.
Click here to view comments on the Proposed Global Policy for Autonomous System Numbers.
Click here to submit comments on the Proposed Global Policy for Autonomous System Numbers.
Background
The ASN global policy proposal has progressed through the bottom-up policy development processes of the Regional Internet Registries since spring 2009, as described in a series of "early awareness" reports posted on the ICANN website. See http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-04sep09-en.htm. The table below describes the development steps within each RIR for the proposal. Hyperlinks are included for easy access. As of 24 May 2010, all RIRs had formally adopted the proposal. On 13 July 2010, the Executive Council of the Number Resource Organization sent the final version of the proposal to the ASO AC for procedural verification according to established procedures and subsequent forwarding to the ICANN Board for ratification. On 22 July, the ASO AC resolved to forward the proposal to the ICANN Board.
RIR |
AfriNIC |
APNIC |
ARIN |
LACNIC |
RIPE |
Proposal Introduced |
28 Aug 2009 list message |
13 July 2009 list message/prop-074 |
29 May 2009 31 Aug 2009 |
1 Jun 2009 list messageLAC-2009-08 |
27 May 2009 prop 2009-7 |
Discussion list |
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Public Forum |
21-27 Nov 2009 (consensus) |
APNIC 28 24 -28 Aug 2009 (consensus) |
RIPE-58 (informally - process not requiring a meeting) |
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Final Call for Comments |
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Approval by RIR |
Adopted by the AfriNIC Board on 24 May 2010 |
Ratified by the LACNIC Board 22 Feb 2010 |
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Link to document |
LAC-2009-08 (EN) LAC-2009-08 (ES) LAC-2009-08 (PT) |
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Link to Policy Development Process |
Information on other Global Addressing Policies can be found at http://www.icann.org/en/general/global-addressing-policies.html.