the NIC?

Tue Oct 5 09:51:35 UTC 1993

  > scottw at internic.net (Scott Williamson) writes:
  > Peter,
  > 
  >   First someone must provide the definition for :   What is a provider?
  >   Do we just give a block to any one who said they are a provider?  
  >   This question has been batted around over and over with no answer. It
  >   sound simple but we get some very small operation asking for their own
  >   block.  Shouldn't their current next level provider be involved to some
  >   extent with these smaller operations? 
  > 
  > Scott

FYI here is what we do at the RIPE NCC:

- We ask them for their own estimates on what they will need

	- immediately
	- within one year
	- within 2 years

  We ask for estimates whith some justification. This usually gives us some
  idea of what they are about. 

- If the above does not give us enough information we will use any sources
  available to us.

- If we conclude that delegating a whole block is not justified at that point
  we will delegate part of a block. After all a block is not a 
  physical quantum.

- Crucial: We always tell them more than once that this is just the initial 
  procedure and once they come back with a report on how the first allocation 
  was used they can readily get more address space.

Most importantly: We will, as a matter of policy, not get involved in any
discussion whatsoever about who is a provider and who is not.
This will just lead to fruitless discussions and cycles wasted.

Of course all providers are expected to contribute to the funding of the
RIPE NCC :-).

Hope this helps

Daniel