JPNIC Translated Document Source document: jpnic/ip-addr.txt Date of the source: July 27, 1993 Date of the last update of this translation: February 14, 1996 This is a translation of a JPNIC document. JPNIC provides this translation for convenience of those who can not read Japanese. But it may contain mis-translations, and is by no means official. One should consult the source document written in Japanese for detail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ON THE ALLOCATION OF IP ADDRESSES Japan Network Information Center July 27, 1992 [ The copyright of this document is held by Japan Network ] [ Information Center. The document may be freely reproduced and ] [ distributed provided it is in no way modified. The latest ] [ version of the document can be obtained by an anonymous ftp ] [ from nic.ad.jp:pub/jpnic or by sending an e-mail to ] [ mail-server@nic.ad.jp. ] 1. IP Addresses and their Allocation IP Addresses are allocated to the computers, etc., that belong to computer networks based on the TCP/IP protocol. In order to promote the smooth development of computer networks, Japan Network Information Center (JPNIC), with the cooperation of the network information center of Internet (The NIC), carries out the allocation and management of IP addresses (the network address part) that are guaranteed to be internationally unique to computer networks within Japan. Further, JPNIC also gathers, organizes, and provides as an information service to network users, the information necessary for the management of IP addresses. Within JPNIC, the allocation and management of IP addresses are handled by the IP Address Allocation Group while the supply of information to the users is handled by the Database Management Group. However, it is not the role of JPNIC to prevent the application for IP address allocation by the users of networks in Japan directly to The NIC. The IP addresses are allocated to the organizations operating computer networks based on the TCP/IP computer networks. The word "organization" here is intended to mean any organization in which the responsible persons are clearly known and does not need any other special requirements to be met. Consequently, this definition does not necessarily match with the definition of "organization" in allocating Japanese domain names. The application for an IP address to JPNIC can be made by any organization that is operating a computer network within Japan. 2. The Finite Limits to IP Addresses IP Addresses are a finite resource that are managed under international cooperation. Therefore, it is necessary to restrain from applying for IP addresses that are not required. Also, any IP address that is no longer planned to be used after it has once been acquired should be returned to the allocator. 3. Class of IP Addresses An IP address is a number of 4 octets (32 bits) and is normally expressed in the form of decimal numbers for each octet delimited by periods between them. Each IP address is separated into a network part and a host part. The method of separating these two parts can be classified into five classes called Classes A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, depending on the value of the left-most octets follows: Class Value of the left-most octet Class A 1 -- 127 Class B 128 -- 191 Class C 192 -- 223 Class D 224 -- 239 Class E 240 -- 255 The network part of the addresses belonging to Class A consists of one octet. That is, in an IP address of 1.2.3.4, the network part is 1 while the host part is 2.3.4. For each Class A network address, it is possible to connect up to about 17 million (2 to the power of 24 minus 2) computers, etc. The network part of the addresses belonging to Class B consists of two octets. That is, in an IP address of 128.2.3.4, the network part is 128.2 while the host part is 3.4. For each Class B network address, it is possible to connect up to about 65000 (2 to the power of 16 minus 2) computers, etc. The network part of the addresses belonging to Class C consists of three octets. That is, in an IP address of 192.2.3.4, the network part is 192.2.3 while the host part is 4. For each Class C network address, it is possible to connect up to 254 (2 to the power of 8 minus 2) computers, etc. The IP addresses of Class D and Class E are used for special purposes (see the reference document RFC1166). The applicant for an IP address should apply for an address of the particular Class suitable for the size of the network considering the future status of development of the network. As of July 1992, since there are very limited numbers of addresses of Class B, as far as possible, we strongly request the applicants to apply for several Class C addresses instead of a Class B address. Coordinating with the NIC, JPNIC is managing a fixed number of Class B and Class C addresses and allocates the network parts of the addresses. The host parts of the IP addresses allocated to the users will have to be managed by the users themselves. Technological breakthroughs are being made continuously in the field of networks and the above Class divisions are very likely to be altered during 1993. In that case, even the IP address allocation method described below is also being planned to be modified to a large extent (see the reference document RFC1338). However, even in that case, the validity of the currently allocated IP addresses will be maintained. 4. Application Procedure The application form should be filled in under the responsibility of the manager referring to the precautions listed in the attached sheets. Also, when sending the application form by mail, it should always be typed in using a word processor, etc. The interactions with the user for processing the application and for exchanging the technical information related to the management of the IP address after allocation will be handled by the technical contact. The application can be sent either by electronic mail or ordinary mail. In order to reduce the office work load at JPNIC, it is preferable that the application is sent by electronic mail as far as possible. If the technical contact cannot use electronic mail, it is possible to make a person allowed to use electronic mail as the intermediary of the application. Also, note that no applications are being accepted by fax. As a rule, all the communications from JPNIC to the technical contact (the intermediary of the application, if present. who are collectively referred to hereinafter as the "applicant") will be made basically using the same method that was used at the time of filing the application. The address for forwarding the applications by electronic mail is- apply@ip.nic.ad.jp When sending the application by ordinary mail, the envelope containing the application should be marked in red as follows: "Application for Acquisition of IP Address" In addition, the envelope should contain TWO stamped self- addressed return envelopes and should be sent to the following address. These two envelopes will be used for sending back the acknowledgment of the receipt of the application and the report of address allocation. IP Address Allocation Group, Japan Network Information Center Mansui Bldg. 3F, 2-9-18, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, Japan Upon receiving the application, its format will be checked by JPNIC and the acceptance or non-acceptance of the application will be informed to the applicant within 10 days*. (The number of days mentioned here as well as elsewhere refer to the time in the number of working days from the date of receipt of the application at JPNIC to the date of mailing the response. Therefore, the actual number of days taken will be more than this number of days by the number of non-working days and the number of days taken during the to and fro transit by the electronic mail or ordinary mail. This applies to all the number of days mentioned hereafter.) Further, it should be noted that JPNIC will not take any action whatsoever assuming that the application was not made in the following situations: - When no return response is received in the case of application by electronic mail; - When two stamped self-addressed return envelopes are not enclosed with an application sent by ordinary mail; and, - When the return envelopes are sent back to JPNIC due to wrong address, insufficient postage, etc. When an application is accepted for processing, JPNIC responds to the applicant specifying the application receipt number. All further inquiries regarding the application should always be made quoting this receipt number. In the case of electronic mail, the receipt number should always be quoted within parentheses at the end of the "Subject:" field as follows- Subject: question on XXX XXX XXX (IP-940601) When the number of IP addresses applied for does not exceed the standards set by JPNIC, the IP address allocation will be made by JPNIC within 10 days* of receipt of the application and the allocation will be notified to the applicant. However, the allocation work may be delayed temporarily due to unavoidable reasons such as when there are some block allocations pending from the InterNIC/APNIC to JPNIC, etc. In such situations, JPNIC will inform the applicant of the current situation within 10 days*. The applications exceeding the standards set by JPNIC will be investigated by JPNIC to determine whether or not to allocate the parts exceeding the standards. During such investigations, it is possible that the applicant is requested to submit additional documents explaining the reason for the requirement. The IP addresses will be allocated if approved by the investigation and the allocation will be notified to the applicant. However, if the allocation is not approved by the investigation, the allocation will be made up to the standards set by JPNIC and the result will be notified to the applicant. The InterNIC/APNIC and JPNIC deems that all the information contained in the application other than the number of hosts, the number of subnets, the plans for connection to Internet, and the entries in the remarks columns can be made public. However, all other transactions with the applicant will not be made public without the consent of the applicant. 5. Alteration and Cancellation of Application The applicant should promptly inform JPNIC when there are any changes in the contents of the application or when the applicant wishes to cancel the application. The method to be used for communicating alterations and cancellation of the application before an IP address is allocated is the same as that used at the time of making the application. However, the application receipt number must be entered without fail in such communications. (In the case of electronic mail, the receipt number should always be quoted within parentheses at the end of the "Subject:" field.) 6. Operations After IP Address Allocation The host address parts for the allocated IP address (the network address part) should be managed under the responsibility of the administrative contact. After being allocated an IP address, if there is any change in the contents supplied at the time of application, such changes should be informed to the Database Management Working Group of JPNIC according to the JPNIC registration form (see the document "JPNIC Registration Form Entry Method" (ftp/pub/jpnic/db-info.txt)). JPNIC may ask the technical contact of the allocated IP addresses for confirmation of the information. Note that if communication with the technical contact cannot be made for two or more successive attempts, JPNIC may cancel the allocation of the IP address. Any IP address that is not being used after being allocated should be returned by the applicant promptly to JPNIC (see the document "On Returning Unused IP Addresses" (ftp/pub/jpnic/ip-addr-return.txt)). 7. Questions and Inquiries Any questions and inquiries on the allocation and management of IP addresses can be sent to the following: Electronic mail: query@ip.nic.ad.jp Ordinary mail: The same address as for application Fax: +81-3-5280-7199 The application receipt number should always be given when making inquiries regarding an application. (In the case of electronic mail, the receipt number should always be quoted within parentheses at the end of the "Subject:" field.) Also, in the case of questions or inquiries sent by fax, the first page of the fax should clearly indicate that it is addressed to the IP address allocation working group of JPNIC. 8. References Bjork, S.; Marine, A., eds. Network Protocol Implementations and Vendors Guide. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, DDN Network Information Center; 1990 August; NIC 50002 (August 1990). 242 p. (nic.ddn.mil:netinfo/vendors-guide.doc). Braden, R.T.; Postel, J.B. Requirements for Internet Gateways. Marina del Rey, CA: University of Southern California, Information Sciences Inst.; 1987 June; RFC 1009. 55 p. Feinler, E.J.; Jacobsen, O.J.; Stahl, M.K.; Ward, C.A., eds. DDN Protocol Handbook: Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, DDN Network Information Center; 1985 December; NIC 50004 and NIC 50005 and NIC 50006. 2749 p. V. Fuller, T. Li, J. Yu, K. Varadhan, "Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR): an Address Assignment and Aggregation Strategy", 09/24/1993. RFC 1519. 24p. Garcia-Luna-Aceves, J.J.; Stahl, M.K.; Ward, C.A., eds. Internet Protocol Handbook: The Domain Name System (DNS) Handbook. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, Network Information Systems Center; 1989 August; NIC 50007. 219 p. AD A214 698. Gerich, E. Guidelines for Management of IP Address Space. Merit Network Inc. May 1993, RFC1466. 10p. Kirkpatrick, S.; Stahl, M.K.; Recker, M. Internet Numbers. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, DDN Network Information Center; 1990 July; RFC 1166. 182 p. Mogul, J.; Postel, J.B. Internet Standard Subnetting Procedure. Stanford, CA: Stanford University; 1985 August; RFC 950. 18 p. Postel, J.B. Transmission Control Protocol. Marina del Rey, CA: University of Southern California, Information Sciences Inst.; 1981 September; RFC 793. 85 p. Postel, J.B. Address Mappings. Marina del Rey, CA: University of Southern California, Information Sciences Inst.; 1981 September; RFC 796. 7 p. Postel, J.B. User Datagram Protocol. Marina del Rey, CA: University of Southern California, Information Sciences Inst.; 1980 August 28; RFC 768. 3 p. Postel, J.B. Internet Protocol. Marina del Rey, CA: University of Southern California, Information Sciences Inst.; 1981 September; RFC 791. 45 p. J. Postel, "INTERNET OFFICIAL PROTOCOL STANDARDS", 03/14/1994. RFC 1600. 36 p. J. Reynolds, J. Postel, "ASSIGNED NUMBERS", 07/10/1992. RFC 1340. 139 p. Y. Rekhter, R. Moskowitz, D. Karrenberg, G. de Groot, "Address Allocation for Private Internets", 03/17/1994. RFC 1597. 8 p.