[db-wg] First round of cleanup of Database WG NWIs

Peter,

On 12/06/2024 10.36, Peter Hessler via db-wg wrote:
> 
> As you all know, the Database Working Group uses a different process from
> other working groups, and have Numbered Work Items instead of
> Policy Development Process.
> 
> We've had many Items on the list, and some have been there since we created
> the NWI process.  So, the Chairs have decided that we need to go through
> and clean up the list so we can complete the items we wish to complete.
> 
> For this round, we'd like us to review two NWIs that are similar to each
> other.
> 
> https://www.ripe.net/manage-ips-and-asns/db/numbered-work-items/
> 
>   NWI-2  - Displaying history for database objects where available
>   NWI-17 - Historical data
> 
> We ask the working group to discuss these two Items and decide if the WG
> can confirm the problem statements and provide feedback if either of
> these Items are still a problem that should be persued.
> 
> We ask for discussion on list until Friday July 5th.

My understanding is that there are two main consumers of historical data:

1. Researchers
2. IPv4 brokers

For researchers, what they are looking for is limited basically by 
imagination. Size trends, rate of churn, connectivity histories, market 
centralization, and so on; a careful study of RIPE Database records 
might show things for any of these and more.

For IPv4 brokers, I think that they are trying to do due diligence to 
ensure that the space that they are managing the sale of is actually 
legitimate.

NWI-2 aims to fix an inconsistency where deleted objects are not visible 
in history. Presumably this is useful for both researchers and IPv4 brokers.

NWI-17 is the result of the RIPE Database Requirements Task Force 
report, and recommends limiting the data available to what is needed for 
the common use case. It also recommends fixing the historical data to 
handle split & merging of address blocks.

Basically, I think this is all reasonable (disclaimer, I was on the task 
force), and ends up looking like:

1. Add support for deleted records to historical queries

2. Add support for split & merged address blocks to historical queries

3. Strip anything but the absolute necessary information from historical 
queries

4. Provide a way to get full historical information via some other 
process (possibly using NDA with the RIPE NCC or the like)

For #3, I don't know what is necessary since I don't broker IPv4 sales, 
but probably it is something like changes to the organization 
responsible for a given block with the dates those occurred, and that's 
basically it.

Cheers,

--
Shane
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