IPv4 Verification

To meet our conservation goal, the RIPE NCC must monitor address usage for broadband technologies as requests are often large and frequent.

It is recognised that where broadband services are provided, the static assignment of IP addresses may sometimes be necessary for "always on" connections (with or without the use of DHCP).

Requirements

The statistics should show the following:

• 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)

All acronym's and text in the statistics should be in English or be accompanied by an English translation.

Method of Verification

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

• an LIR reaches the /20 threshold of broadband usage.
• an ISP (or End User) reaches the /20 threshold of broadband usage.

The statistics should clearly show the current address space in use for the broadband service and the efficient usage of that address space.

Presentation of Verification

The form of verification is flexible. We are not restricting LIRs in the presentation of the usage of their assignments, 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 tools such as MRTG or RRD (frequently used open-source tools).

Some LIRs have set up password protected web sites (only accessible from our network, 193.0.0.0 - 193.0.1.255) through which we can access the IP usage statistics.

It should be noted that bandwidth data do not accurately show the IP usage, although they can be used as an additional indication of the growth of the service. Without data showing IP address usage or amount of customers that use the service, bandwidth information does not qualify as verification.

Example

We have included some sample MRTG graphs that show that address usage for a sample range. This graph shows increased IP usage over time. It also shows that the current pool is fully utilised. We are NOT suggesting that all LIR's use this tool; we are only showing an example of the kinds of statistics that are immediately useful to us.

If we can see that the IPs are being efficiently used, and that there is a clear need for additional address space, then we are assured that another assignment is warranted.