Re: [44net] Requirements (or not) for ASNs

Dave Gingrich via 44Net <44net(a)mailman.ampr.org> writes: Sorry Dave, that's just wrong. 1. We have had 32-bit ASNs for a long while now and while they are limited because 2^32 is a finite number, they are not scarce because it is a big number. Just as IPv6 numbers (2^128) are finite but not scarce. Old 16-bit ASNs are scarce but today the need for those is similar to the need for a personalised license plate. 2. You need to have a distinct routing policy. That is the condition. One way of doing that is by having multiple backbone providers. That is not the only way. You do need connections to at least two networks but there is no prescription about how this must be done or that the relationship must be IP transit. I know this because I have obtained ASNs for small networks doing unusual things from RIPE. You do have to make a coherent case. 3. There is no requirement that it must be an ASN from ARIN. Not from ARIN or RIPE, not from the networking community, and not from AMPRNet unless a new policy that is gratuitously at odds with both industry and amateur radio practice has been invented. There are several ASNs that I know of in Europe announcing 44 space using ASNs from RIPE. It would be unusual (but it does happen) for a network operator in Europe to use an ASN from ARIN. More generally, learning about and experimenting with networking is something that we ought to encouraged. Generally, the spirit of autonomy in Amateur Radio (in the sense of not relying strongly on a single piece of infrastructure belonging to someone else) is well served by operating networks. Just because "nearly all of us don't" doesn't mean that those who want to shouldn't. There is a perception that running a BGP-speaking network is somehow complicated or dangerous or magic of some sort. That's complete nonsense. Yes there is a learning curve, as with everything. Nothing more than that. I don't have a view about whether Toussaint wants to do this or whether their plan will make sense. But let's try not to discourage people from learning and exploring, shall we? That's not what amateur radio is about. 73s VE3HW (Current operator of AS205586, ex of AS{549, 6401, 13901, 60241, ...})