[address-policy-wg] Policy proposal: #gamma IPv6 Initial Allocation Criteria

The 200 /48s rule does fail the job, in the present environment. We should
abolish it for the arbitrary, plucked from the air number, that it is.

Why? 

Because there are networks which are not end sites, who do make assignments
to customers (just not 200 of them right now - or within 2 years), which
cannot wait for the i*tf to get off the pot with whatever multi6/shim6
thing they are doing, which cannot wait the N years it will take for
vendors to implement whatever comes out of the i*tf.

They need fully-functioning IPv6 connectivity which is not dependant on
(the address space, services, operational stability, etc., of) an upstream
carrier, right now, for whom large scale renumbering whenever they have to
change upstream is not a realistic option.

This can be achieved through an IPv6 address allocation which is
functionally similar to the IPv4 PA allocation they are currently entitled
to. Currently, the RIRs issue these in /32 chunks.

Sure, routing tables will grow. A bit. That's because the Internet is
(still) growing. IPv6 is part of that growth, yet I don't really think
we've had a substantial sunrise period yet. The sun seems to be very low on
the horizon from where I'm sat.

I don't think we're talking about floodgates here. The majority seem to
think there are enough safeguards to prevent "casual" users from
successfully receiving an IPv6 allocation. I agree.

Right now, the only strong objections I'm seeing appear to be somewhat
Canutist, despite being otherwise well-informed.

In case my opinion isn't clear, I support the proposal as it stands.

If there is a genuine and well-founded concern about pulling the "200
number" without some other form of safeguard, maybe we go with the proposal
as it stands, but add a commitment (by the Chairs? group as a whole? NCC?)
to table a review of the situation once the i*tf do come up with something,
and there is vendor support for it?

Would that help to allay fears of wet feet?

Regards,
Mike
-- 
Mike Hughes     Chief Technical Officer  London Internet Exchange
mike at linx.net   http://www.linx.net/
     "Only one thing in life is certain: init is Process #1"