32-bit AS numbers

Fri Oct 9 14:04:54 UTC 2009

Hi Iljitsch-

This statement isnt entirely correct.  Im not sure if this is just a word smithing error in your email or if the management of this issue in the ARIN region isnt well known.  I can only address the ARIN region but in that region if there is a 16 bit ASN in the free pool it will be given out before a 32 bit one.  They are going to manage the ASN free pool by lower bit number out first.  Granted if zero 16 bit ASN's are in the pool then the only thing going out at the time would be a 32 bit ASN.  However, I just wanted to clarify for the ARIN region that 16 bit ASN assignments will not be halted. If they exist in the free pool they will be used.

Cheers!
Marla Azinger
Frontier Communications

-----Original Message-----
From: Iljitsch van Beijnum [mailto:iljitsch at muada.com]
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 1:32 AM
To: NANOG list
Subject: 32-bit AS numbers

Hi all,

As you (hopefully) know, as of 1-1-2010, the RIRs will only be giving out 32-bit AS numbers. I'm writing an article for Ars Technica about this, and I was wondering about the perspective of network operators who may be faced with customers with a 32-bit AS number in the near future, and how the vendor support for 32-bit AS numbers is working out.

If you send me info in private mail, let me know your title/ affiliation and whether I can quote you or not.

Iljitsch