[ncc-announce] RIPE NCC to Assign 32-bit ASNs by Default as of 1 January, 2009

[Apologies for duplicate emails]

Dear Colleagues,

As of 1 January 2009, the RIPE NCC will begin assigning 32-bit (or 
four-byte) Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) as default. This is in 
accordance with a common policy agreed on in all Regional Internet 
Registry (RIR) communities and described in the RIPE Document ripe-389: 
"Autonomous System (AS) Number Assignment Policies and Procedures". This 
document can be found online at:
http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-389.html#19

16-bit ASNs and 32-bit ASNs are interoperable. Those who have previously 
received a 16-bit ASN will not need to renumber. It is possible, 
however, that some devices, either in your network or the network of 
your upstream provider, will not be compatible with 32-bit ASNs. It is 
therefore vital that network operators be aware of the new assignment 
policy and of their own network's status in terms of 32-bit ASN 
compatibility.

Further information about requesting 16-bit ASNs and 32-bit ASNs can be 
found at:
http://www.ripe.net/news/asn-32-guide.html

Kind regards,

Andrew de la Haye

Chief Operations Officer
RIPE NCC