GENWiki

Network Working Group C. Huitema, Chair Request for Comments: 1481 Internet Architecture Board

                                                            July 1993

         IAB Recommendation for an Intermediate Strategy to
                   Address the Issue of Scaling

Status of this Memo

 This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
 not specify an Internet standard.  Distribution of this memo is
 unlimited.

Recommendation

 Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) proposes strategies for address
 assignment of the existing IP address space with a view to conserve
 the address space and stem the explosive growth of routing tables in
 default-route-free routers run by transit routing domain providers
 [1].  CIDR is proposed as an immediate term strategy to extend the
 life of the current 32 bit IP address space.  This strategy presumes
 that a suitable long term solution is being addressed within the
 Internet technical community.

 The basic components of the CIDR plan are: management of the
 allocation of Internet address space and provision of a mechanism for
 aggregation of routing information.  The IP community has published
 several RFCs and Internet-Drafts which describe the architecture for
 IP address assignment and routing protocols which will promote the
 deployment of CIDR.  These documents have led to changes in the way
 network address are allocated and have prompted enhancements to the
 inter-domain and intra-domain routing protocols.

 With the CIDR prompted changes in the management of the allocation of
 the Internet address space, allocation of blocks of Class C numbers
 leads to an explosion of the routing tables.  So, it is important
 that the techniques for aggregating information in the routing
 protocols keep pace with the change in the allocation of IP numbers.

 The IAB endorses the CIDR architecture and its implementation.  In
 addition, the IAB supports the actions taken by the IANA and
 InterNIC, the router vendors, and the network operators to implement
 CIDR to address the scaling problem that we are facing with the
 growth of the Internet.

IAB [Page 1]  RFC 1481 IAB on CIDR July 1993

References

 [1] Fuller, V., Li, T., Yu, J., and K. Varadhan, "Supernetting: an
     Address Assignment and Aggregation Strategy", RFC 1338, BARRNet,
     cisco, Merit, OARnet, June 1992.

 [2] Gerich, E., "Guidelines for management of IP Address Space", RFC
     1466, Merit, May 1993.

 [3] Topolcic, C., "Schedule for IP Address Space Management
     Guidelines", RFC 1367, CNRI, October 1992.

 [4] Rekhter, Y., and T. Li, "An Architecture for IP Address
     Allocation with CIDR", Work in Progress, January 1993.

 [5] Rekhter, Y., and C. Topolcic, "Exchanging Routing Information
     across Provider/Subscriber Boundaries in CIDR environment", Work
     in Progress, February 1993.

Security Considerations

 Security issues are not discussed in this memo.

Author's Address

 Christian Huitema
 INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis
 2004 Route des Lucioles
 BP 109
 F-06561 Valbonne Cedex
 France

 Phone: +33 93 65 77 15
 EMail: Christian.Huitema@MIRSA.INRIA.FR

IAB [Page 2]