RE: [aso-policy] ICANN/USG contract for IANA function

[John Curran <jcurran@mail.com>]

Andrew,
 
    I will note that the proposal to USG made by ICANN introduces the 
    concept of a "dual-track assignment system" which simply does not
    and hasn't ever existed.  It is unfortunate that this language was
    provided to the USG as it creates the impression of a mechanism 
    that Jon neither created nor would have tolerated.

    It would have appropriate to better coordinate with the RIR's on
    this section of the USG proposal, as the history of each of the 
    IANA-processed categories would have been available.

/John

--- 

    
>
>              At the outset of the term of the contract, ICANN proposes in both the IPv4 and IPv6 spaces to follow the current policies as to which
>              particular uses of IP addresses are accommodated by allocation through the RIRs and which are handled by direct assignments. This
>              dual-track assignment system works well in practice because it provides significant input by local ISPs and users into policies
>              concerning assignment for existing types of uses while providing a global (i.e. Internet-wide) mechanism for making assignments of IP
>              address blocks for needs that are important to the overall growth and vitality of the Internet. In large part, the global mechanism has been
>              used for purposes that are experimental in character, which would have difficulty in justifying assignments within the RIR context in view
>              of the RIRs' orientation towards serving the needs of existing users, but which are vital to the promotion of innovation on the Internet
>              worldwide. In the past, significant new special uses of the IP address space have been unable to obtain assignments at individual RIRs,
>              but have received assignments directly from the IANA in their infancy, and have ultimately proven their technical efficacy and grown in
>              popularity. According to present practices, this use of direct assignment by the IANA is intended to be exceptional in scope, directed to
>              particular IP address-space uses that serve needs of the overall Internet, and which could not acceptably be thwarted by the regional
>              allocation policies of the RIRs.
>
>              As uses of IP addresses on the Internet are introduced and evolve, there is a need to periodically evaluate the application of the two-track
>              assignment system to particular uses. As one example, IPv4 addresses for cable modems have been assigned directly by the IANA
>              since 1996. At the time this direct-allocation practice for cable modems began, RIR policies did not sufficiently accommodate this
>              then-innovative use. Since that time, the cable industry's use of cable modems has matured significantly and RIR policies have evolved
>              to accommodate these needs. Thus, it may be appropriate to migrate cable-modem assignments to the RIRs; ICANN expects this issue
>              will be taken up shortly by ICANN's ASO. When new uses of IP addresses arise, ICANN proposes to evaluate their proper treatment
>              under the dual-track assignment system on a case-by-case basis. To the extent that the new uses can be appropriately handled under
>              the institutional framework of the RIRs, the presumption should be that allocations through the RIRs will be used to make the
>              assignments. In the exceptional case of an innovative or other globally specified use that does not qualify for necessary IP address
>              assignment through the RIRs, but which is sufficiently important to the overall Internet's operation or evolution that it cannot acceptably
>              be thwarted by RIR procedures, direct assignment by the IANA may be employed. ICANN proposes to make these distinctions based on
>              policies formulated through the ICANN process with the opportunity for input from all affected parts of the Internet community, including
>              from the RIRs through the ASO and from SDOs through the PSO.

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