[ncc-services-wg] Implementation Timeline for Phasing Out Text-Based Email Request Forms

Dear colleagues,

On 5 August 2014, we sent a request for feedback on our proposal to 
phase out email-based request forms:
https://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/ncc-services-wg/2014-August/002850.html

The two-month period for comments has ended, and we would like to thank 
you all for your feedback. We have taken into account the concerns 
raised and adjusted the planned implementation accordingly. A summary of 
the implementation timeline is provided at the bottom of this email.

The main concern we received was that the time frame for members to 
adjust their internal processes was not long enough. We will therefore 
extend the proposed implementation to the end of May 2015.

As of today, the APIs are available for the following resource requests:
- IPv4 First Allocation
- IPv6 First Allocation
- IPv6 Provider Independent (PI) Assignment
- Autonomous System (AS) Number Assignment

You can find the APIs and the accompanying documentation at:
https://www.ripe.net/data-tools/developer-documentation/resource-request-api

We ask that you test these APIs in the coming three months (until 31 
January 2015) and check that they are compatible with your workflow. 
Based on the feedback we receive, the final APIs will be deployed at the 
end of February 2015. We will then archive the email-based request forms 
and supporting notes that are published on www.ripe.net. Our systems 
will continue to accept the email-based request forms for a further 
three months. From the end of May 2015, email-based request forms will 
no longer be accepted.

Another concern raised was with regards to a fall-back mechanism if the 
LIR Portal and APIs are not available due to technical problems. In such 
a situation, we currently accept emails to request resources without 
syntax changes, and we will continue to have this fall-back mechanism in 
the future.

As a final note, over the past weeks we have worked to improve and 
simplify the request forms in the LIR Portal. Work has now been 
completed on all forms. The simplified process means that you can 
complete a request for any Internet resource quickly and easily. We will 
also publish the information needed to request resources in a document 
that replaces the supporting notes and maintains a high level of 
transparency.

We appreciate your feedback on further improvements. If you have any 
questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
<requestforms at ripe.net>

Timeline Summary
1 October 2014 - End of initial comment period on new process
7 October 2014 - New APIs for resource requests made available
31 January 2015 - End of comment period on new APIs
28 February 2015 - Deployment of final APIs and archive email-based 
request forms and supporting notes
30 May 2015 - Email resource requests no longer accepted

Best regards

Ingrid Wijte

Registration Services Assistant Manager
RIPE NCC