IAB Ad Hoc Committee on addressing issues

Last updated: July 12, 2006

Background

IP addressing issues are an important component of a smoothly running Internet. Although IP address allocation policies are the domain of the RIRs, such policies can have significant implication for how the Internet functions and how IETF protocols operate. Hence, addressing issues are of interest to the IETF as well.

This group will serve as a venue for consideration and discussion of addressing issues from an IETF perspective and a place where the IAB can direct specific questions that it seeks advice on. The overall purpose of this group is to ensure that addressing topics of relevance to the IETF receive sufficient discussion within the proper communities. It is not the intent that this group make or set policy; IP addressing policies are made through the normal RIR channels, based on standards and recommendations established by the IETF and the IAB. However, it is intended that this group help ensure that any necessary discussions do actually take place (e.g., on mailing lists or at face-to-face meetings) and may find or solicit volunteers to make presentations or write Internet-Drafts as appropriate.

This group is expected to:

• serve as a venue for the IAB to ask for advice or input on addressing-related issues
• serve as a "design team" for housing discussions related to topics under development
• follow and identify topics being discussed within the RIR community that may warrant review or discussion in the IETF

Current topics under discussion

• Following the current RIR discussions concerning IPv6 allocations from IANA to the RIRs. E.g., see http://www.arin.net/policy/proposals/2004_8.html
• HD ratio. Some questions are being raised as to whether the HD ratio is really the proper metric for address utilization and allocation. Note: this topic has now under very active discussion within the ARIN/RIPE community. E.g., see http://www.ripe.net/ripe/meetings/ripe-50/presentations/ripe50-plenary-wed-ipv6-roundtable-report.pdf
• Revisiting RFC 3177 (most of work to be done in IPv6 WG). Note: this topic is now also under very active discussion in ARIN, RIPE and the other RIRs. see the above URL for details.

Current membership

Note: affiliations/expertise given for background; membership is based primarily on expertise/perspective. Additional persons associated with RIR communities will be brought in.

Chair: Kurtis Lindqvist (IAB, shim6 WG co-chair, RIPE/RIR participant)

• Geoff Huston (shim6 WG co-chair, APNIC, RIR participant)
• Bob Hinden (IPv6 WG co-chair)
• David Kessens (IESG, AD for v6ops, RIPE/RIR participant)
• Brian Haberman (IPv6 WG co-chair)
• Thomas Narten (IETF liaison to ICANN, ARIN/RIR participant)
• Paul Wilson (APNIC)
• Leslie Daigle (IAB chair)