Hi Sander,

> Yes, but the RIPE NCC checks your intended usage to confirm that it doesn't 
> conflict with the policy.
>> BUT: how would the simple addition of »[w]ithin the context of these 
>> policies, a sub-assignment is an assignment of a length of /64 or shorter« 
>> will solve the issue that mentioning WiFi in the PI request leads to it's 
>> refusal? (Note that »no WiFi« is not even present on above's list.) 
> There are dozens (maybe hundreds) of ways in which to use address space. 
> Those examples aren't meant to be exclusive. Now, the problem is that we 
> never properly defined what a sub-assignment in this context is. Just based 
> on the language, every case where I tell you to use an address is an 
> assignment. If I were to give you a bit of paper that says "you can use 
> 2001:db8::1" then that is an assignment. I just assigned 2001:db8::1 to you. 
> (Yes, we could get into the discussion that SLAAC isn't technically an 
> assignment in this context but stateful DHCPv6 is, but let's not go there). 
> Basically, under the current policy, based on the English language, letting 
> any 3rd party use your IPv6 PI address space is a violation of the policy.

I beg to differ, it's not about (interpretation of) English language. The 
policy defines, what »to assign« means in the context of the policy. Article 
2.6. states: »To “assign” means to delegate address space to an ISP or End User 
for specific use within the Internet infrastructure they operate. Assignments 
must only be made for specific purposes documented by specific organisations 
and are not to be sub-assigned to other parties.«

(Which, btw, means there's no difference between PA and PI here. Thus, End 
Users must not use DHCPv6 nor WiFi, with NCC'scurrent interpretation. Eeks.)

The WiFi is part of my (internet-facing) infrastructure I operate. It needs 
address space to work as designed, so where do I take that from? My routers, 
switches and internal systems are numbered from my PI space; do I need non-PI 
space for my WiFi? (Another /48 for maybe 20 devices?)

Anyway, I don't intend to nit-pick here; I would like to understand why things 
are as they obviously are, although there already are definitions for the terms 
used. Then, I'd like to get things fixed in a way that looking at the »document 
[which] defines registry policies for the assignment and allocation of globally 
unique IPv6 addresses to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other 
organisations« (self-definition of ripe-655) it is clear what can be done with 
the address space requested and/or received and when the request can/will be 
denied. Currently, to me it's anything but clear from that document, as hidden 
rules exist that are neither documented nor mentioned.

> And 3rd party usage of IPv6 PI addresses is currently not allowed.

Well, if reading the policy that way, neither is it for non-PI space?

> What this policy tries to define is what sub-assignment, and define it as a 
> /64 or more. So letting 3rd parties connect to your WiFi (which will assign 
> them a couple of addresses) is fine, as is letting someone host a server on 
> your network. But you're not allowed to give them their own /64 or more. If 
> you do that then (under the proposed policy text) you are sub-assigning, 
> which isn't allowed.

This is because »assignment« isn't used as defined by the policy, imho. If the 
proposed change solves the issue that fellow Freifunkas can not get IPv6 PI 
space, well, +1. But as WiFi is mentioned nowhere, this looks like wishful 
thinking to me.

Let's play it through: The policy change gets approved and implemented, and now 
a /64 of my IPv6 PI for my WiFi is ok. (And giving a /64 or less to my 
kids/neighbour/barber is as well?) But, I actually operate two WiFis, one for 
the general public and one for my family. Thus, I now use a /63 in total, but 
only a /64 each, for WiFi. Ok, not ok?Ok, as: »Within the context of these 
policies, a sub-assignment is an assignment of a length of /64 or shorter.«

(Actually, it would not be ok, as »/64 or shorter« still prohibts use of /64 
for e. g. WiFi. The proposal therefore should read »/63 or shorter« or »shorter 
than /64«, I think, or SLAAC is not an option anymore.)

> Speaking as a chair: this issue has been around for a long time, and it keeps 
> coming up. Without us (this WG) giving extra guidance to the RIPE NCC their 
> interpretation of what we mean by "sub-assignment" can only be based on the 
> English language, where assignment without any further 
> qualification/quantification means *any* assignment, even if it's just a 
> single address. So I would like to properly define in policy what we as a 
> working group would like to happen.

That sums up pretty well my issues with the proposed change (while I still see 
a clear definition of »assignment« in the policy and wonder why only me 
understands it as that; is my understanding of the English really that flawed?).

Regards,
-kai


P.S. I don't aim for IPv6 PI for the WiFi part of our Freifunk setup; I'm just 
tired of renumbering 10+ systems and 20+ tunnels on every change of the 
upstream used, thus I looked into getting IPv6 PI, which led me here. 
Renumbering really sucks and I'm currently looking into NPTv6 as the ultimate 
solution to that; especially, as IPv6 PI obviously comes with too many hidden 
strings attached. And if it's in place at the egdeanyway, NPTv6 for the WiFi 
part comes for free. NATs are good, it seems.

-- 
Kai Siering                        Schalückstraße 107, 33332 Gütersloh
eMail: [email protected]     ISN: 98735*1796 × Phone: +49 172 8635608
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Getdate firmly  believes that years after 1999 do not exist;  getdate
 will have to be killed by the year 2000."
             -- From the "Bugs" section of cnews-020592/libc/getdate.3



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