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prop-160-v001: Change IPv6 Initial assignment to /44 for Organizations Eligible for /23 IPv4

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Proposer: Md. Rafeeun Noby Babir (rnbabir@gmail.com)


1. Problem Statement
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The current minimum allocation for Initial IPv6 assignments is a /48 prefix. While this provides a significant pool of addresses, it can create challenges for organizations implementing multihoming and managing multiple sites, particularly for those that are new to IPv6. 

Organizations that qualify for a /23 IPv4 allocation have demonstrably justified a requirement for more than a single /48 IPv6 address pool.

A /48 prefix can be cumbersome to subnet efficiently for deployments across various locations or with multiple internet service providers (ISPs) in a multihomed environment. This can discourage organizations, especially new adopters of IPv6, from transitioning due to concerns about address space management complexity.

2. Objective of policy change
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This proposal advocates for changing the initial allocation of IPv6 address blocks to /44 from /48 for organizations that are eligible for a /23 IPv4 allocation under the current APNIC policies. 
This proposal aims to achieve greater alignment between IPv6 allocations and IPv4 delegations [5].
As per the APNIC Fee Schedule, no additional fee [3] would be required for this increased allocation.

3. Situation in other regions
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ARIN: Similar policy has been adopted  (6.5.8.2. Initial Assignment Size) [2]. More than 1 but less than or equal to 12 sites justified, receives a /44 assignment.


4. Proposed Policy Change
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Current Policy text :

8.2. Initial IPv6 allocations [1]
8.2.1. Account holders with existing IPv4 space
Subject to Section 8.1., existing IPv4 address space may be considered in determining the initial IPv6 allocation size. APNIC applies a minimum size for IPv6 allocations to facilitate prefix-based filtering.
APNIC account holders that have been delegated an IPv4 address block from APNIC, but have no IPv6 space, can qualify for an appropriately sized IPv6 block under the matching IPv6 policy. For example, an account holder that has received an IPv4 IXP assignment will be eligible to receive an IPv6 IXP assignment.
The size of the IPv6 delegation for requestors that meet this criterion will be based on the following: 
* An account holder that has an IPv4 allocation is eligible for a /32 IPv6 address block.
* An account holder that has an IPv4 assignment is eligible for a /48 IPv6 address block.
If an APNIC account holder wishes to receive an initial allocation or assignment larger than the sizes described above, the account holder will need to apply under the alternative criteria described in Section 8.2.2. and Section 9.1 below. 


Policy text will be changed :
* An account holder that has a /24 IPv4 assignment is eligible for a /48 IPv6 address block.
New Policy text will be added :
* An account holder that has a /23 IPv4 assignment is eligible for a /44 IPv6 address block.


5. Advantages / Disadvantages
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Advantages:
Alignment with IPv4 Allocation: Organizations qualifying for a /23 IPv4 allocation have demonstrably justified a need for a larger address pool. Aligning the minimum IPv6 allocation with this level reflects similar requirements in a larger IPv6 address space.
Improved Efficiency for Multihoming and Multi-site Deployments: A /44 prefix offers greater flexibility for organizations to subnet and manage their address space effectively across multiple locations or ISPs in a multihomed environment.
Encouraging IPv6 Adoption: Increasing the minimum allocation cost (in terms of address space size) can incentivize new organizations to adopt IPv6, accelerating the overall transition within the region.

Disadvantages:

6. Impact on resource holders
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7. References
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[1] Section 8.2 Initial IPv6 allocations.
https://www.apnic.net/community/policy/resources#a_h_8_2

[2] IPv6 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies for the ARIN Region 
https://www.arin.net/participate/policy/nrpm/nrpm.txt

[3] APNIC Fee Calculation 
https://www.apnic.net/about-apnic/corporate-documents/documents/membership/member-fee-schedule/

[4] New Member fee examples 
https://www.apnic.net/get-ip/get-ip-addresses-asn/

[5] Section 6.1. Minimum and maximum IPv4 delegations
https://www.apnic.net/community/policy/resources#a_h_6_1