[address-policy-wg] Guidance Requested: Reassigning Referenced ASNs

[Apologies for duplicates]

Dear colleagues,

At the Address Policy WG session during RIPE 66, the RIPE NCC requested 
guidance from the RIPE community on reassigning referenced 16-bit ASNs. 
Together with the Address Policy WG Chairs, we have decided to seek 
additional input from the WG mailing list.

Background: the RIPE NCC has around 1,400 returned 16-bit ASNs that are 
currently referenced in route objects, and "import" and "export" lines 
in aut-num objects.

Problem: there is a need for 16-bit ASNs by operators. However, because 
these ASNs are referenced, they are not being reassigned.

At RIPE 66, the RIPE NCC suggested the following potential solutions:

A. Not reassign referenced AS numbers
B. Reassign AS numbers even if referenced
C. Clean up the RIPE Database from references and then reassign the AS 
numbers
     C.1. "Silent" update; or
     C.2. Informing the object holder of the update

Please find the RIPE Meeting slides at the following url:
https://ripe66.ripe.net/presentations/176-Address_Policy_WG_RIPE_66.pdf

This email has been sent to both the Address Policy WG and RIPE Database 
WG mailing lists, due to the impact the proposals would have on the RIPE 
Database. However, we would ask to keep the discussion on the Address 
Policy WG mailing list to facilitate participation and the channeling of 
feedback.

Thank you in advance for your input and best regards,

Andrea Cima
RIPE NCC