RFC 2050 (rfc2050) - Page 3 of 13

Internet Registry IP Allocation Guidelines

RFC 2050       Internet Registry IP Allocation Guidelines  November 1996


   Internet address space.

   2) Routability: Distribution of globally unique Internet addresses
   in a hierarchical manner, permitting the routing scalability of
   the addresses. This scalability is necessary to ensure proper
   operation of Internet routing, although it must be stressed that
   routability is in no way guaranteed with the allocation or
   assignment of IPv4 addresses.

   3) Registration: Provision of a public registry documenting address
   space allocation and assignment.  This is necessary to ensure
   uniqueness and to provide information for Internet trouble shooting
   at all levels.

   It is in the interest of the Internet community as a whole that the
   above goals be pursued.  However it should be noted that
   "Conservation" and "Routability" are often conflicting goals.  All
   the above goals may sometimes be in conflict with the interests of
   individual end-users or Internet service providers.  Careful analysis
   and judgement is necessary in each individual case to find an
   appropriate compromise.

   The Internet Registry system

      In order to achieve the above goals the Internet Registry (IR)
      hierarchy was established.

      The Internet Registry hierarchy consists of the following levels
      of hierarchy as seen from the top down: IANA, Regional IRs, Local
      IRs.

   IANA

      The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority has authority over all
      number spaces used in the Internet.  This includes Internet
      Address Space. IANA allocates parts of the Internet address space
      to regional IRs according to its established needs.

   Regional IRs

      Regional IRs operate in large geopolitical regions such as
      continents.  Currently there are three regional IRs established;
      InterNIC serving North America, RIPE NCC serving Europe, and AP-
      NIC serving the Asian Pacific region.  Since this does not cover
      all areas, regional IRs also serve areas around its core service
      areas.  It is expected that the number of regional IRs will remain
      relatively small.  Service areas will be of continental
      dimensions.



Hubbard, et. al.         Best Current Practice