Dear James, On Tue, Jan 02, 2018 at 10:46:35PM +0000, James Breeden wrote: > Before I take this to the ARIN PPML, wanted to get NANOG's thoughts. > > I'm amazed at the number of AS numbers that are assigned, but not > actively being used. I'm not talking just like they are offline for a > week or month, this is complete non-use of the AS in the global > routing table within *years*. They are completely abandoned resources > - Whois data is inaccurate by 5-10 years, no routeviews data in the > same time period, the owning organization (if you can find it) > scratches their heads about responding whether they use it or not, > etc. > > I know we're currently not in a push to get AS numbers or close to > exhaustion, but I do believe that people who have global AS numbers > should have a requirement to use them or return them to the global > pool. Am I the only one thinking this?
The most important property of ASNs assigned by RIRs is that they are globally _unique_. This doesn't mean they are globally visible. I worry that a proposal like this will introduce quite some work for all parties involved, for no obvious benefit. As you point out yourself we are nowhere close to exhaustion. > And before you come back with "Well they may be using it internally > where it doesn't need to be in the GRT" - that's why we have Private > AS numbers. I beg to differ, private ASNs are useful when you control all aspects of the administrative domain, but with M&A in mind, using globally unique ASNs can be quite beneficial. Or, maybe as the result of M&A you end up having multiple ASNs inside your network, but globally only one ASN is visible (confederations). > I.e. some form of ARIN or global policy that basically says "If AS > number not routed or whois updated or used in 24 months, said AS > number can be public noticed via mailing list and website and then > revoked and reissued to a pending, approved AS request" Uses of invisible ASNs include: lab networks, route servers, GRX exchanges, route collectors, etc. The Internet is more than what routeviews/RIS can see. All pending, approved AS requests can immediately be fullfilled, there is no shortage of ASNs. > Just thinking aloud. Happy New Year all! Same to you :-) Kind regards, Job