Re: IPv6 addresses really are scarce after all

["Stephen Sprunk" <stephen at sprunk.org>]

Thus spake "John C Klensin" <john-ietf at jck.com>
> Second, the notion that RIRs set addressing policy is one that
> has not been in place forever.  Indeed, it has evolved very
> slowly and mostly by assertion by the RIRs that they have that
> authority --assertions that, in other contexts, might look a lot
> like either filling a vacuum or turf grabs depending on one's
> perspective.  While they have always (since there have been
> RIRs) had broad discretion within their own regions, and it has
> always been recognized some coordination discourages
> forum-shopping and other bad behavior, global address policy was
> historically set by IANA in conjunction with the IAB, not by the
> RIRs (although I assume their advice was certainly welcomed).

My understanding of the current process is that IANA policy is dictated by 
getting all RIRs to pass equivalent policies telling the IANA what to do. 
The NRO fits in there somewhere, as does US DoC.

> I also believe that the RIRs have some obligation to consult the
> IETF before making a major policy change and to pay careful
> attention to anything rational the IETF has to say.

The RIRs do look to the IETF for guidance.  However, they apparently feel 
free to declare the IETF's guidance not "rational", to use your word, and go 
out on their own when needed to meet the community's needs.  There is a key 
difference between advice and authority.

S

Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking 



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