David Croft wrote:
On 31/10/2007, David Conrad <david.conrad@icann.org> wrote:
The fact that _you_ can't see a routing announcement for a particular prefix does NOT mean the prefix isn't announced somewhere. There are these things called "private networks" and they do interconnect outside of the context of the "public" Internet.
I'm sorry, I might be missing some enormous point here, but since when were these companies sold IP addresses or given indefinite title to them?
IP addresses can't be sold (at least under the RIR system), that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Legacy addresses though where simply 'allocated'. Nothing else.
If they received them legitimately and they are in active use then they have a responsiblity to keep the contact information up to date, as per their original agreement (presumably... barring some huge historical cock-up).
They effectively don't have any agreement, they just got them.
I say, for every prefix not in the routing table, that is not registered under a paid-up LIR or equivalent, send them repeated automated communications and if they fail to respond, *they* have neglected *their* responsibilities and have lost their right to a loan of a finite pubic resource.
There is no concept of LIR for those assignments. RIRs and thus also LIRs didn't even exist at that time. Remember that RIPE NCC was the first RIR founded around 1991. Most legacy blocks far predate that. See the following URL and you will easy see that predate it: http://www.iana.org/assignments/ipv4-address-space
If they do not keep up with their responsibilities to keep their records up to date, then why should they be treated any different from the gazillion former class Bs that no longer exist? And why should we be concerned about keeping their networks running when they have no concern about the operation of our internet?
Because those resources (IP addresses in this case) are not only for "The Internet" but more for "Internet Protocol using Networks".
If we can't distinguish betwen the legitimate class B holders and the Erie Forge and Steels, then why should it be our burden to do so? Why must we pander to the 5% of those guys who even still exist when they refuse to cooperate?
Do any of those networks really refuse to cooperate? I am fairly sure that during the ERX work most of them got contacted and also correctly responded to inquiries. If they didn't, let the people who did them please speak up in public for which /8's etc nobody responded and then see if those contacts can be found to figure out what/if they are being used or not. Greets, Jeroen