[db-wg] "-c" flag to become default in RIPE Database server

[Apologies for duplicate mails]


Dear Colleagues,

On 1 August 2007, the following changes will be made to the
default behaviour for IP queries of the RIPE Database:

  * The "-c" flag behaviour will become the default for all
    IP queries. This means that when querying an IP address
    or range, any query not containing the "-L", "-l", "-M",
    "-m" or "-x" flags will, by default, return the IRT object
    referenced by the closest less specific inet(6)num (if
    such a reference exists).

  * A new "-C" flag will be implemented to provide the old
    behaviour and ensure backwards compatibility.

The behaviour of the "-c" flag itself will not change, nor will
there be any change for those queries that include other IP
flags ("-L", "-l", "-M", "-m" or "-x").

Please adjust any software that you maintain that queries the
RIPE Database and relies on this behaviour.

Regards,
Katie Petrusha
Database Department
RIPE NCC