How to Navigate Getting IPv4 Space in a Post-Run-Out World

RIRs have traditionally been the primary source of both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. However, in September of 2015 ARINs free pool of IPv4 addresses was depleted. RIP …

RIRs have traditionally been the primary source of both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. However, in September of 2015 ARIN’s free pool of IPv4 addresses was depleted. RIPE and APNIC have both reached IPv4 exhaustion as well. Yet many organizations, even many of those that have already implemented IPv6, continue to need additional IPv4 addresses to run their business. While an IPv4 market has developed to fill this need that market can be difficult to navigate. It lacks transparency. Pricing fluctuates. RIR regulations surrounding transfers change regularly and are often not well understood by operators. At the same time stories have surfaced of registration hijacking and other issues that increase the level of risk involved in participating in the v4 market. This talk aims to provide guidance to organizations looking to navigate the process of acquiring IPv4 addresses by providing a set of best practices and guidance on things like vetting potential sellers, RIR transfer policies to be aware of when planning a purchase and transfer, structuring contracts to minimize risks, preparing successful RIR transfer requests and smoothly navigating the RIR transfer process.