Guides for Understanding Internet Infrastructure

30/10/2019

LACNIC has adapted and translated into Spanish a 52-page document published by NIC.br detailing everything there is to know about IP addresses and ASNs.

LACNIC has shared this comprehensive guide with its community, particularly Internet Service Providers, as the information it contains is relevant to this sector that is part of the Internet ecosystem.

Antonio Moreiras, Projects and Development Manager at NIC.br and one of the authors of the document, noted that the work seeks to facilitate access to information on how to obtain IP addresses and ASN blocks, as well as to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Internet number resources.

Why did you prepare this document on IP addresses and ASNs?

Soon it will no longer be possible for an ISP to obtain an IPv4 address block assignment directly from LACNIC or from an NIR such as NIC.br.

In Brazil, only 7,000 organizations have received ASN and IP address block assignments, compared to a growing universe of ISPs estimated at 12,000 to 14,000. The stock of IPv4 addresses available at LACNIC will no longer be enough to satisfy everyone’s needs.

 We believe it is extremely importance for all potential users of these number resources to be properly informed. We want to reduce barriers and facilitate the process so that the organizations that can benefit the most from the direct assignment of IPv4 addresses —including ISPs— can obtain them while it is still possible.

What information do the guides contain and what criteria were used for their selection?

The document is organized as a series of F.A.Q. and offers information on the role of number resources (IPv6, IPv4, ASN), how they are distributed and managed, the process for developing policies for their allocation, and the requirements, costs and steps involved in obtaining a direct assignment. We selected the questions that we answer most frequently in our conversations with ISP professionals, particularly smaller ISPs, known in Brazil as regional Internet providers.

We included topics that we consider necessary for these professionals to gain a better understanding of the entire process for the allocation, administration and use of these Internet number resources.

What is the target audience for this guide?

The guide focuses on ISPs, particularly those that have not yet obtained number resource allocations directly from an RIR (such as LACNIC) or from an NIR (such as NIC.br).

However, the document is also quite useful for anyone working with networks or the Internet, or who somehow participates in Internet governance, as well as for students.

What goals did you set out when preparing this document?

We wanted to improve the information available to both current and potential users of the number resources managed by LACNIC and the NIRs. We are going through a critical time where we are witnessing the realization of a huge potential for growth, while also experiencing IPv4 address exhaustion.

We believe that by disseminating and promoting this information we will contribute to a better utilization of number resources in our region.

Be sure to click here to read the document in full.