Whois database and list of networks

We  would like to know your opinion about this problem and our proposal.
The  GARR-NIS manages a whois database  (whois.nis.garr.it)  where  each
network  is described with the RIPE database format plus other  "italian
GARR-NIS"  tags. We produce the access lists for the GARR border routers
starting from GARR-NIS whois database (we use the nlc tool).
In addition to that we are requested to produce the "aggregate" networks
list (CIDR) from GARR-NIS database as well.

In  our  opinion  it  is  difficult to get  the right information  about
network blocks  from  the  whois  database  as  it is currently  managed
because many network  blocks  are  splitted  in smaller blocks  (usually
corresponding  to  the really announced networks or because of different
contact point).

We would like  to announce the  whole  original block  while maintaining
into the GARR-NIS database the splitted blocks.
An additional  gain  using  this  scheme  would  be  to  store different
rev-srv: server for each block for example).

We have thought the following solution:  add a new tag inet-block:  into
the network object which describes the original block size.  In this way
it is possible  to store in  the same  object entry both the information
for  route  aggregates  (inet-block:)  and  other  data  we  need  (like
rev-srv:, contact people, etc).

This is a example:

inetnum: 193.204.160.0 - 193.204.161.0
netname: ROMA3-NET
inet-block: 193.204.160.0 - 193.204.167.0
country: IT
admin-c: Fabio Martinelli
tech-c: Aldo Altamore
connect: GARR
aut-sys: AS137
bdrygw-l: INFN-MIL INFN-CNAF
rev-srv: decsrv.caspur.it
rev-srv: dns.nis.garr.it
rev-srv: matrm3.mat.uniroma3.it
......
......

inetnum: 193.204.162.0 - 193.204.167.0
netname: ROMA3-NET
inet-block: 193.204.160.0 - 193.204.167.0
country: IT
admin-c: Fabio Martinelli
tech-c: Aldo Altamore
connect: LOCAL
.......
.......

Please let us know your opinion.


                            The GARR-NIS Staff

Daniele Vannozzi                 Phone:     +39 50 593280
GARR-NIS                         Phone NIS: +39 50 593360
c/o CNUCE - Istituto del CNR     Fax:       +39 50 904052
Via Santa Maria 36               Telex:  500371 - CNUCE
56100 Pisa - Italy               E-mail: vannozzi at nis.garr.it