Procedure for Becoming
a Member of the RIPE NCC

   Olivia Ruimwijk
   Ingrid Wijte   
   Agata Peszkowska
   Emma Bretherick 
   Leo Vegoda     
   Dominic Spratley
                   
   Document ID: ripe-257
   Date: 6 September 2002
   Obsoletes: ripe-212, ripe-230
     ____________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

   This document aims to provide the necessary information for those
   who wish to become a member of the RIPE NCC by setting up a Local
   Internet Registry (LIR). In this document initial guidelines are
   given to organisations that are planning to set up an LIR. Further,
   the necessary steps to set up an LIR are described.
   ____________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents
                 
     * 1.0 Introduction
          + 1.1 Terminology
     * 2.0 Who Can Set Up a Local Internet Registry?
          + 2.1 Responsibilities of an LIR
          + 2.2 Business Considerations
          + 2.3 Other Considerations
     * 3.0 Setting Up an LIR        
          + Step 1: Completing the RIPE NCC Membership Application Form
            (Creation of the LIR)
          + Step 2: Agreement on the Provision and Use of the RIPE NCC
            Services
          + Step 3: Payment of Fees
     * 4.0 Requesting Address Space for the First Time
     * 5.0 Training Courses                           
     ____________________________________________________________________

1.0 Introduction

   The RIPE NCC is the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) responsible
   for the distribution of Internet resources in the RIPE NCC service
   region.

   Most organisations request these resources, i.e. IP addresses and
   Autonomous System Number (ASN), directly from their upstream
   service provider. However there are circumstances when this is not
   appropriate, such as when a company needs large quantities of IP
   addresses to distribute to its downstream customers.
                                                            
   When these situations occur, an organisation will request to set up
   an LIR and therefore become a member of the RIPE NCC as an
   LIR. They can then request resources and services directly from the
   RIPE NCC.

   This document outlines the process that an organisation must follow
   to become a member of RIPE NCC.
   
1.1 Terminology    
   
   Clarification of the terms used by the RIPE community:
                   
   To allocate means to distribute address space to Internet
   Registries (IRs) for the purpose of subsequent distribution by
   them.
   
   To assign means to delegate address space to an ISP or End User,
   for specific use within the Internet infrastructure they
   operate. Assignments must only be made for specific purposes
   documented by specific organisations and are not to be sub-assigned
   to other parties.
   
   Regional Internet Registries are established and authorised by
   respective regional communities, and recognised by the IANA to
   serve and represent large geographical regions. The primary role of
   RIRs is to manage and distribute public Internet address space
   within their respective regions.
     
   A Local Internet Registry is an IR that primarily assigns address
   space to the users of the network services that it provides. LIRs
   are generally ISPs, whose customers are primarily End Users and
   possibly other ISPs.
     
2.0 Who Can Set Up a Local Internet Registry?
     
   Any organisation that requires services from the RIPE NCC is
   entitled to become a member of the RIPE NCC.
          
   The RIPE NCC can only accept membership applications from
   organisations that have a registered legal entity located in the
   RIPE NCC service region. To determine which RIR you should contact
   for services, please refer to the list of countries and their
   corresponding RIR, which can be found at:
          
     http://www.ripe.net/ripencc/mem-services/general/rir-areas.html
     
   Although there are no qualifying criteria to become an LIR,
   membership of the RIPE NCC does not necessarily lead to receiving
   an allocation of IP addresses. Certain qualifying criteria must be
   met to receive an allocation of IP addresses. These criteria are
   described in the RIPE Documents "IPv4 Address Allocation and
   Assignment Policies in the RIPE NCC Service Region" found at:

     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ipv4-policies.html

   and the "IPv6 Address Allocation and Assignment Policy" found at:
   
     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ipv6policy.html
                                                            
2.1. Responsibilities of a Local Internet Registry
   
   The LIR holds certain responsibilities for the assignment of IP
   addresses that it makes from its allocated blocks. These
   responsibilities include:
   
      * Considering the advantages to having an independent block and
       whether they are ready for the extra cost, administrative
       overhead and responsibility of running an LIR.

     * Making the right assignment decisions following assignment
       policies as described in the RIPE Document "IPv4 Address
       Allocation and Assignment Policies in the RIPE NCC Service
       Region" found at:
   
     http://www.ripe.net/docs/ipv4-policies.html
   
     * Keeping records of the information gathered in the assignment
       process.
   
     * Storing assignment information in the RIPE Database and keeping
       this information up-to-date. These responsibilities are
       described in the RIPE Document "RIPE Database Reference Manual"
       found at:
   
     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/databaseref-manual.html
   
   The RIPE NCC has a consistency checking and auditing activity set
   up to train LIRs and help them follow the procedures and applying
   the policies.  This process is intended to ensure that LIRs follow
   their responsibilities correctly. The process is outlined in the
   RIPE Document "RIPE NCC Consistency and Auditing Activity" found
   at:

     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/audit.html 
   
2. 2. Business Considerations
          
   When changing upstream providers an organisation that does not
   operate an LIR will probably have to renumber their networks and
   return the formerly used address space to the LIR that assigned the
   address space.  Organisations operating an LIR do not depend on
   others for assigning address space to their own or their customers'
   networks. On the other hand, operating an LIR takes up a
   considerable amount of time and financial resources that should not
   be underestimated.
     
2.3. Other Considerations
   
   As of November 2001, all organisations that currently make
   efficient use of 1024 IPv4 addresses (a /22) or fewer must agree to
   renumber all address space. Additionally, they must return the
   ranges to the upstream provider upon receipt of their first
   allocation from the RIPE NCC. This is described in the RIPE
   Document "IPv4 Address Allocation and Assignment Policies in the
   RIPE NCC Service Region" found at:
   http://www.ripe.net/docs/ipv4-policies.html
   
   Organisations currently operating an LIR that wish to establish
   another one must provide the RIPE NCC with a valid reason for the
   need of an additional LIR. In this case the RIPE NCC may require
   extra information to help us understand and process this request.
   
3.0 Setting Up an LIR
     
   An organisation is required to complete the Membership application
   procedure in order to set up an LIR at the RIPE NCC.

   Please note that much communication is needed between the LIR and
   the RIPE NCC. All communication is conducted via e-mail and in the
   English language.
   
   The process of setting up an LIR can be divided into 3 steps:
    1. Completing the RIPE NCC Membership Application Form      
    2. Agreement on the Provision and Use of the RIPE NCC Services       
    3. Payment of Fees                                              
   
   The steps need to be performed in the order specified above.
       
Step 1: Completing the RIPE NCC Membership Application Form (Creation
of the LIR)
     
   The RIPE NCC will need to collect administrative information about
   the new LIR such as address and telephone numbers, names of contact
   persons and billing information (including your VAT number if your
   billing address is in the European Union).
   
   Upon receipt of your request, a ticket number will automatically be
   assigned. This ticket number can be found in the subject line of
   the e-mail acknowledgement sent to your initial request. Please use
   this ticket number in all your correspondence during the set-up of
   your LIR.  This ticket number will be in the form: NCC#YYYYmm####
          
   Currently, there are only three ticket status categories:

    1. OPEN-REG (the RIPE NCC is waiting for an answer from the
       applicant),

    2. OPEN-NCC (the RIPE NCC will attend to your e-mail as soon as
       possible) and 

   3. CLOSED (process completed).
   
   It is possible to check the current status of your request at:
     
     http://www.ripe.net/cgi-bin/rttquery
                                         
   Once the RIPE NCC has received all requested information internal
   records will be created for the LIR. A registry identifier
   ("RegID") will be assigned to you by the RIPE NCC. The registry
   identifier is used to identify you as an LIR and distinguish you
   from other organisations. The format for the RegID is:

   <country code><registry name> For Example: nl.bluelight

   It is the responsibility of the LIR to keep the information
   supplied in the application form up-to-date. The information you
   provide in the application form is not stored in the RIPE whois
   Database. If you want to change any information about your LIR or
   check the current contents, please send an e-mail to
   <lir-help@ripe.net>, and include your RegID in the body of the
   mail.
   
   Please note that the RIPE NCC may ask for more information
   according to your situation.
   
   Please complete the online "Membership application form" located
   at:

     http://www.ripe.net/ripencc/new-mem/application-form.html
   
Step 2: Agreement on the Provision and Use of the RIPE NCC Services
   
   In order to have an official contract between the LIR and the RIPE
   NCC, you must provide two signed copies of the "The Standard RIPE
   NCC Service Agreement" found at:
    
     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/service-agreement.html
   
   Signing a contract with the RIPE NCC means that all persons
   registered as an LIR contact are obliged to abide by the LIR
   policies and procedures outlined by the RIPE NCC and the RIPE
   community. Please note, LIR contacts are the only people from the
   LIR who can request services from the RIPE NCC.
   
   A list of LIR policies and procedures as they pertain to the RIPE
   NCC service region can be found at:
   
     http://www.ripe.int/ripe/docs/internet-registries.html
   
   The service agreement must be signed by a representative of the LIR
   who holds the power to sign contracts (usually a director). Please
   include the title of the person signing the contract as well as the
   name of the organisation, the location where the agreement was
   signed and the date it was signed. Please do not alter the layout
   or content of the service agreement.
    
   Please send the two signed service agreements to the RIPE NCC by
   postal mail. Upon receipt the RIPE NCC will sign them and return
   one copy of the agreement to your organisation for your records.
   
   Registered and courier mail can be sent to:
     
     RIPE NCC                            
     Singel 258
     1016 AB Amsterdam
     The Netherlands
   
   Regular postal mail can be sent to:
   
     RIPE NCC
     P.O. Box 10096
     1001EB Amsterdam
     The Netherlands
   
   The RIPE NCC can only supply services to organisations that operate
   as a legal entity in the RIPE NCC service region. Therefore,
   together with the "The Standard RIPE NCC Service Agreement", the
   RIPE NCC requires you to send a copy of your organisation's
   registration with the local Chamber of Commerce, or the
   equivalent. The RIPE NCC will only sign "The Standard RIPE NCC
   Service Agreement" in the English language.
   
Step 3: Payment of Fees
     
   After Step 1 is completed ("Completing the RIPE NCC Membership
   Application Form") the RIPE NCC will send an invoice to the billing
   address as specified by the prospective member. The amount on the
   invoice must be paid before the LIR receives services from the RIPE
   NCC, such as requesting address space or attending an LIR Training
   Course.
   
   Upon receipt of the signed service agreement and registration
   documents (e.g. the Chamber of Commerce form) the RIPE NCC will
   verify that the invoice has been paid. The RIPE NCC will then raise
   the service level of the LIR, that will enable it to start using
   the services of the RIPE NCC.
   
   The new member will receive an invoice from the RIPE NCC that
   includes the one time start-up fee and yearly membership fee. The
   start-up fee is used partially to pay for the LIR Training Courses
   that all new registered contacts are encouraged to attend. These
   fees are agreed by the membership at the Annual General Meeting
   (AGM) of the RIPE NCC and therefore are subject to change from year
   to year. Please read the current version of the RIPE Document "RIPE
   NCC Billing Procedure and Fee Schedule" for the list of current
   fees at:
   
     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/billing.html
   
   Each LIR is assigned a category (i.e. SMALL, MEDIUM or LARGE) on
   which the yearly fees are based. The categories are determined by
   the number of allocations the LIRs have received from the RIPE NCC
   and on the age of the allocations. A special billing category
   called "Enterprise" applies to LIRs that only assign addresses to
   their own organisations' networks and not to customers.
   
   Please note that the LIR billing process begins right after the
   completion of Step 1 (and NOT upon LIR first address space
   request). If an organisation takes up membership but does not
   request address space until months later, they are still required
   to pay for the months prior to their address request. In such cases
   it is better for the organisation to wait until they actually need
   IP address space before setting up the LIR.
     
   Be aware that most LIRs are not set up overnight and that it is
   best to apply well in advance of the operation date. Please
   consider one month to be a guideline for the completion of the
   application as an LIR.  Questions regarding billing and payments
   should be sent to: <billing@ripe.net>.
     
4.0 Requesting Address Space for the First Time
   
   After an organisation has officially set up an LIR the RIPE NCC
   will send a message to notify the LIR that the set-up has been
   completed.
   
   At this time the LIR should use the <hostmaster@ripe.net> mailbox
   for requesting address space or AS Numbers.
   
   Policy or registry-related questions can be sent to
   <lir-help@ripe.net>.
     
   Please do not send address space requests to <new-lir@ripe.net> nor
   use the ticket number that was assigned to you in the membership
   application.  As soon as your LIR is established this ticket will
   be closed.
   
   All policy issues are described in more detail in the relevant RIPE
   documents found at:
   
   http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/index.html
   
   To request IPv4 address space you need to submit a "First
   Allocation Request Form" found at:
   
     http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/first-allocation.html
   
5.0 Training Courses
   
   The RIPE NCC offers LIR Training Courses given by the RIPE NCC
   staff.  Courses are paid for through the membership
   contribution. The course covers the following areas; the RIPE whois
   Database, IP address policies, reverse delegation, the routing
   registry, Provider Independent (PI) address space and AS
   numbers. The training course is open only to members of the RIPE
   NCC. We strongly recommend that new members send one or two of
   their staff members to this training course.
   
   For information on LIR Training Courses, location and dates of
   future LIR Training Courses, course material, policies and
   objectives, please see:
   
   http://www.ripe.net/training/index.html
