IPv6 news

Tue Oct 18 14:07:02 UTC 2005

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005, Paul Jakma wrote:

> If you want to focus on the differences between IP and POTS/GSM, sure, 
> they're completely different. However, the point is to examine the abstract 
> model for how telcos manage to achieve number portability without 
> global-scope exchange of subscriber information and see what, if any, 
> techniques could apply to IP.

Eg, given some arbitrary area:

- RIR assigns a prefix to that area

- For that area, for the set of ISPs providing service in that
   area (the area-ISP set) which are all peered with each other (eg at some IX in or near the area
   concerned), each ISP:
 	- announces the area prefix as far and wide as they can
 	  (doing so will be an advantage for settlement with the
            other area-ISP set ISPs)
 	- exchanges very very specific routes of:

 		area-site -> AS

           with the other area-ISP set ISPs (if they peer locally,
           they can keep these very specific routes local too)

 	- keep track of how much traffic to the area-prefix is handed
 	  off to other area-ISP set ISPs (and to which, obviously),
           and how much is received.

 	- periodically, for every other area-ISP, reconcile traffic
           handed off / received and either send your or wait for
           their invoice as appropriate.

Fraught with some difficulties obviously. (Politics of settlement, 
particularly when there is no benevolant entity to arbitrate and/or 
impose - before you ever get to the question of how to define an 
"area").

If it seems too difficult and the status quo is preferred - no 
worries, the hosts will figure out some kind of indirection. Bit less 
efficient than if ISPs would route natively/locally, but hey it won't 
require any difficult decisions and co-ordination in the ISP 
community.

And maybe that'd be for the best. ;)

regards,
-- 
Paul Jakma	paul at clubi.ie	paul at jakma.org	Key ID: 64A2FF6A
Fortune:
Nowlan's Theory:
 	He who hesitates is not only lost, but several miles from
 	the next freeway exit.