[db-wg] RIPE DB question

Hi,

william(at)elan.net wrote:

>> If the end user no longer exists then we can clean up the database and 
>> make the unused resources available for assignment to another network 
>> - after a suitable quarantine period.
> 
> What amounts to "suitable quarantine period"?

It varies. Our concern is that the resource has not appeared in the RIPE 
Database or those route views we have access to for a few months.

> How do you determine if the user "no longer exists"?

Most of the time we are contacted by the system or network 
administrators of companies that are closing, telling us that they can 
return resources because their are turning their networks off. 
Essentially, it's people voluntarily handing back resources that their 
networks no longer need.

In other cases we follow a set of steps to determine whether the 
resource is no longer in use. The precise details of the process can 
vary depending on where the resources were used - there are a few dozen 
countries in our service region.

> What resources will fall under this system?
> 
> Is such resource recovery covered by RIPE policies (if so which one)?

This system covers all the resources we are responsible for managing.

In section 6.6 of the IPv4 policy it states:

"All assignments are valid as long as the original criteria on which the 
assignment was based are still valid and the assignment is properly 
registered in the RIPE Database."


In section 4.1 of the IPv6 policy it states:

"The policies in this document are based upon the understanding that 
globally unique IPv6 unicast address space is licensed for use rather 
than owned. Specifically, IP addresses will be allocated and assigned on 
a license basis, with licenses subject to renewal on a periodic basis. 
The granting of a license is subject to specific conditions applied at 
the start or renewal of the license.

RIRs will generally renew licenses automatically, provided requesting 
organisations are making a “good faith” effort at meeting the criteria 
under which they qualified for or were granted an allocation or 
assignment. However, in those cases where a requesting organisation is 
not using the address space as intended, or is showing bad faith in 
following through on the associated obligation, RIRs reserve the right 
to not renew the license."


In section 1.8 of the AS Number policy it states:

"If an organisation has an AS Number that is no longer in use, it can be 
returned to the public pool of AS Numbers by sending a message to 
<hostmaster at ripe.net>. It can then be reassigned to another Autonomous 
System by the RIPE NCC."

I hope this is helpful.

Regards,

-- 
leo vegoda                             "Good enough is not good enough"
RIPE NCC                                                   Axel Pawlik
Registration Services Manager                              3 June 2005