IPv4 Verification

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The RIPE NCC has begun to allocate IPv4 address space from the last /8. This means that section 5.6 of “IPv4 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies for the RIPE NCC Service Region” is now in effect. This section states that, once the RIPE NCC begins to allocate address space from the last /8, a RIPE NCC member may receive only a /22 (1,024 IPv4 addresses), even if they can justify a larger allocation. No new IPv4 Provider Independent (PI) space will be assigned.

In order to continue to meet conservation goals for IPv4 address space, the RIPE NCC must monitor address usage for broadband technologies.

The assignment of static IP addresses may be necessary for "always on" connections for broadband services (with or without the use of DHCP).

The RIPE NCC will ask for statistics on current usage of “always on” services when:

  • A RIPE NCC Member (LIR) reaches the /20 threshold of broadband usage
  • An ISP (or End User) reaches the /20 threshold of broadband usage

 

Statistics for IPv4 Verification

The statistics provided by an LIR should clearly show the current address space in use for the broadband service and the efficient usage of that address space. In addition, they should show:

  • The IP capacity for each area/pool of IPs
  • The IP usage for each area/pool of IPs (min/avg/max on a daily/weekly/monthly basis)

 

Please note that bandwidth data does not accurately show IP usage, although it can be used as an additional indication of the growth of the service. Without data showing IP address usage or the number of customers using the service, bandwidth information does not qualify as verification.

 

How to show IPv4 verification statistics

All text including any acronyms need to be written in English or be accompanied by an English translation.

How the information is presented is flexible, as long as it shows that the address space for the technology is being used efficiently. LIRs can choose whatever method is easiest for them.

Possible ways of verification include IP usage statistics presented by open source tools such as MRTG or RRD.

Some LIRs have set up password protected websites through which the RIPE NCC can access IP usage statistics. These website are only accessible via our IP range: 193/19 in IPv4 and 2001:610:240::/42, 2001:67c:2e8::/48 and 2001:67c:64::/48 in IPv6.

Example

We've put together some sample graphs using the MRTG tool that show IPv4 statistics that show usage over time as well as utilisation. This example is meant to illustrate the kinds of statistics that the RIPE NCC could use. We are not suggesting that all LIRs use MRTG.

If we can see that 70% of the assigned IP addresses assigned to the LIR are being used, then there is clear evidence that an additional IP assignment is warranted.

As the assignment periods change, the IP efficiency usage ratio will also gradually increase until the RIPE NCC pool of IPv4 addresses is fully depleted.