APNIC 27 Member Meeting Minutes

Chair:

Akinori Maemura, Chair, Executive Council of APNIC.

Agenda:

1. Welcome

  • Presenter: Akinori Maemura

Akinori Maemura, Chair of the APNIC EC, welcomed the members to the AMM. Maemura-San continues to be the Chair for the AMM as per the APNIC By-Laws.

2. APNIC Secretariat report

Paul Wilson went through the Agenda for the AMM, noting the updates from the Secretariat, and in particular the EC election results. He outlined that the candidates would be given the opportunity to make a speech in support of their nomination for election. He thanked the sponsors, JPNIC, KRNIC NIDA, and TWNIC for their support of the AMM.

Paul noted that it was the tenth anniversary of APNIC's move to Brisbane, which coincides with his tenth anniversary working for APNIC. The company has grown from 6 to 60 people; space has increased five-fold to 1100 square metres; and at the end of 2008, membership increased from 191 to 1855. IP allocations have grown to 5.25 /8s in the last year and APNIC is allocating v4 address space faster than the other RIRs. Similarly, ten years ago there was only one root server serving the Asia Pacific; now there are 36 or more, 22 of which are supported by APNIC.

He noted the Communication Area's involvement with Internet Governance activities and in particular the expanding challenge of meeting government expectation in the areas of IPv4 address exhaustion and IPv6 transition. He later noted APNIC's active involvement in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the ITU, and the OECD. Both the ITU and the OECD are also focused on the issue of IPv4 exhaustion.

He further noted, in response to the 2009 Survey results, that APNIC will be providing more Training to Members with a focus on online delivery and eLearning; rolling out a new website; and introducing stronger security measures through Resource Certification.

Paul finished by referring to the changes to the fee structure that APNIC will implement in 2010, discussed later by EC Treasurer, Kuo-Wei Wu.

3. Services Area report

Resource Services:

An important achievement is the automation of IPv6 space distribution. The membership application process has been streamlined. Now, potential members will be able to apply for membership and resources at the same time. There is continuing growth for IPv4, but in 2008, APNIC made the most number of IPv6 delegations. To cope with the demand for IPv4 address space, an escalation procedure was introduced to ensure that hostmasters continue to efficiently evaluate requests. Requests are reviewed according to the size of the request, but the usual two or three-day turnaround is still achieved. Hostmasters handled 3,876 tickets in 2008 including during the APNIC and APRICOT meetings.

Membership Services:

Membership grew to 1,855; of those 1,097 are NIR members. Upgrades to MyAPNIC include username and password login, the ability to activate and deactivate service, collection management, and route generation. A new look MyAPNIC will be launched in 2009 with the aim of further improving the navigation and making it more user friendly. Over 2008, membership services provided over 2000 chats and processed over 10,000 tickets.

Project and System services:

New software was implemented so that membership statistics and finance planning could be better monitored. The project team also improved the events management system for the APRICOT and APNIC meetings. The internal ticketing system was also upgraded.

4. Technical Area report

Software engineering:

The technical system for the MyAPNIC username and password facilities was successfully rolled out.

Infrastructure Services:

Focus has been on improving network reliability that is dual-homed to ensure high availability of services including optimization of network configurations. With regard to IPv6 connectivity, DNS, mail, and web services are running on IPv6.

Research and Development (R&D):

The Resource Certification system APNIC are developing is the first functional RPKI system worldwide. MyAPNIC has created complementary ROAs and AAOs tools. In 2009, verification tools will be added, and there is continuing IETF standard, measurement, and collaboration work.

5. Communications Area report

Seventeen proposals were considered in 2008; eight reached consensus, six were implemented.

APNIC 26 recorded the highest number of participants at 237 and featured online participation tools such as video, audio, and chat. Jabber chat proved to be highly utilized with 87 different accounts.

The IPv6 Program continues with its primary objective of promoting IPv6, particularly to government sectors. The IPv6 Program Wiki was launched to assist with this through the ICONS website.

Marketing and Public Relations has formulated marketing and PR plans for MyAPNIC, Resource Certification, eLearning, the new APNIC website, and in general, all communications, including Sponsors.

External Relations continues to actively liaise with over 50 groups across the region and has signed MoUs with NZNOG, AusNOG, and Japan.

Participation in Internet Governance activities such as the IGF in Hyderabad is a key part of our operational communications strategy. We also had ITU and OECD input with Paul Wilson and Geoff Huston speaking respectively.

Training has been very active with courses attended by 1400 participants in 21 economies. A key achievement has been the development of a new eLearning platform utilizing DimDim.

The Publications Team will be rolling out a new website very soon.

6. Business Area report

There is continuing effort to recruit and maintain high quality staff. Reporting analysis is utilizing a new financial application so that managers can monitor their expenses against the budget.

In terms of risk management, Business Continuity Planning, leveraged off RIPE NCC, was felt to be the best approach for APNIC to use. The objective for 2009 is to have a working BCP with a completed manual.

Other aims for 2009 will be continued modelling with regard to membership fees and a refinement of the activity planning and budget development process. We are also working to maintain the EcoBiz award for a green office and implementing a resource planning application and performance management system.

7. Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF)

The DG gave a brief outline of ISIF, a small grants program similar to the Pan-Asia Research and Development Program. In 2008, out of 148 applications received, 11 projects were awarded with funding. Twenty-two different economies sent through applications. Project funding will be available for 2009.

8. Executive Council (EC) Election

Four positions are up for election on the APNIC Executive Council (EC). Stricter by-laws have been implemented including compliance controls for authorizing contacts to vote in the elections. Voting can only be carried out by the authorized contacts of each individual member, as approved by APNIC. Proxy voting is guided by the APNIC By-laws. For onsite voting, only members given entitlement to vote by their Corporate Contacts can collect ballot papers. Ballot papers have changed and now each ballot represents the number of votes that member is entitled to.

Each of the nominees had the opportunity to give a brief speech.

9. EC report

Akinori Maemura, the Chair of the EC gave a brief summary of EC activities. Current activities centred on the Fee Study by KPMG. The main aims of the fee study were to ensure APNIC's financial stability, study the effects of NIR formation, IPv4 address exhaustion, and IPv6 transition. The overall impact of the study was to ensure fairness to our members. The EC expects changes to fees from 2010 but will advise Members of this by April 2009.

With regard to policies, the EC endorsed Prop-55 and Prop-62.

The EC appointed Tomohiro Fujisaki to serve on the NRO Member Council for 2009.

10. EC Treasurer's report

Financial reports are all completed in AUD. In 2008 there was an operating loss of AUD151,751. This was in part due to the financial crisis and there was a write-down of AUD334,821. Expenses totalled AUD10,773,614, with revenue, AUD10,769,285.

There was a net growth of 271 members with a total of 1,855. Overall there is a conservative approach to financial activities; we are operating within budget and are maintaining the required levels of reserves.

The budget for 2009 forecasts expenses of AUD12,086,125 with a projected operating surplus of AUD27,647. Budget fiscal policy aims to maintain an ending cash reserve approximately equal to the projected annual expenses budget. A strong focus on risk management and compliance will be maintained.

In 2008, the EC commissioned KPMG to perform a study on APNIC Fees and recommend the most appropriate fee structure that APNIC should adopt. Key issues studied included how to ensure APNIC's financial stability and the appropriate level of reserves; fairness and equity across the differing economies in the region; and Internet environmental changes. The study highlighted a strong need to undertake changes to the fee structure.

Following these recommendations, the EC will:

  • Adopt a "continuous fee" model replacing the "tiered" fee model that currently exists.
  • Undertake fee reviews annually.
  • In light of the financial crisis, maintain cash reserves of 12 months, with a target of 15 months to be achieved.
  • Provide discount fees to least developed economies.
  • Adopt the new fee schedule by 2010.
  • Commence a study of an IPv6-only environment to allow sufficient time for the transition to a new IPv6 fee structure in 2012.

11. Report on the Member and Stakeholder Survey 2009

Held every two years, this is the fifth member survey held by APNIC on behalf of the Members. Conducted independently by KPMG with all responses confidentially maintained, the survey sought answers to the following questions:

  • Assessment of APNIC activities
  • Allocation of resources
  • IPv6 readiness

The responses to the survey were the highest so far, with nearly double that of the previous survey.

From the three areas surveyed, the following conclusions are:

  1. APNIC should provide training, education, and information that will help make IPv6 information more readily available to those that currently cannot access information easily.
  2. APNIC should liaise with regulators and governmental organizations to build their understanding and support for a smooth transition to IPv6.
  3. APNIC should provide support for the community to take the important initial action to integrate IPv6 into their future business planning.

12. Number Resource Organization (NRO) Report

The Number Resource Organization (NRO) is the vehicle through which the RIRs undertake mutual cooperative and representative activities. One thing that the NRO shares is a range of expenses incurred by the RIRs such as the annual contribution made to ICANN. Based on a weighted formula of revenue related to resource allocations, the percentage APNIC was responsible for was 26.5 per cent.

ICANN meetings are major events and the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) consultation is expected to be extensive. Similarly, the NRO also has a big presence at the IGF - the most recent one held in Hyderabad. Two members of the NRO are part of the multi-stakeholder advisory group (MAG). Ongoing activities for 2009 include continued coordination of IPv6 support, ongoing management of the ip6.arpa delegation plan, and resource certification coordination.

13. IANA report

Of the 32 /8s left in the IANA free pool, seven have been allocated, and five have been reserved for the final allocation. The global policy proposal for the remaining IPv4 space was sent to ICANN on 4 February 2009. The public comment period is open until 26 February 2009, with the final decision on 6 March 2009. With regard to signing the DNS root, the proposal was sent to the Department of Commerce for consideration.

14. RIR reports

AfriNIC currently has 494 members representing a steady linear growth. IPv4 allocation is accelerating and they have had steady IPv6 allocation growth. Training is a key challenge for them with the focus being on IPv6. The main goal is to conduct training over the entire continent by the end of 2009. The next meeting is in Cairo, back-to-back with AFNOG-10.

ARIN is implementing a new agreement - the Registration Services Agreement which customers must sign in order to get resources. If the organization commits fraud, the agreement can be terminated. There are improvements to Whois and RWhois. ARIN have implemented a new Policy Development Process where the Advisory Council, who in addition to evaluating consensus, are also now able to write proposal text.

2008 has seen substantial growth of small members and while allocation of IPv4 decreased slightly from 2007, there has been growth in IPv6 allocations. There has been an increase in IPv6 outreach activities, in particular training. A new registration system, with added functionality, will soon be deployed. There was a change to the Policy Development Process, and now Co-chairs are elected, whereas previously, only Chairs were elected.

The last RIPE meeting was well attended. The focus was on IPv4 depletion and IPv6 transition. There is now a working group relating to enhanced cooperation with governments. A new charging scheme has been adopted for 2009 but with no change to fees. Certification is in the process of being tested with plans for it to be deployed later in 2009. Work has started on a new RIPE database. Changes to the entire methodology are being investigated, particularly on how data is used.

15. MoU signing

MoUs were signed with ASTI and PHNOG.

16. NRO Statistics report

This report outlines Internet Number Resource stats for the five RIRs. Of the 256 /8s: the RIRs have 96; the central registry has 91; and IANA have reserved 43. In the last three years, IANA has allocated 11 /8s each year and earlier this year, 2 /8s were allocated to RIPE. Overall, APNIC has allocated more IPv4 address space than the other RIRs but ARIN and RIPE have dominated AS number allocations. With regard to IPv6, most RIRs doubled their allocations since 2007 from 400 to 800.

17. ASO report

The ASO's responsibility is to advise the ICANN Board and select two ICANN Board members and one NC member. It comprises 15 members (3 from each region); with terms of appointment of two years for elected members and one year for appointed members. Louis Lee is the Chair for 2009 with RIPE NCC the Secretariat. Topics for the ASO included global policy on the remaining IPv4 address space. The ASO meet monthly via teleconference; and annually via face-to-face meeting.

18. Policy SIG report

Ching-Heng Ku is the new Policy SIG Co-chair. Seven proposals were discussed at APNIC 27.

Three were abandoned:

  • Prop-60: Change in the criteria for the recognition of NIRs in the APNIC region
  • Prop-63: Reducing timeframe of IPv4 allocations from twelve to six months
  • Prop-70: Maximum IPv4 allocation size

Two were withdrawn:

  • Prop-67: A simple transfer proposal
  • Prop-68: Inter-RIR transfer policy

Consensus proposals:

Pending approval at each remaining stage of the PDP, APNIC is to implement a modified version of prop-50 based on the following revisions:

  • APNIC will process IPv4 transfer requests involving current account holders following the adoption of this proposed policy subject to the following conditions:
    1. The minimum transfer size accepted will be a /24.
    2. APNIC is to maintain a public log of all transfers.
    3. Address transfers should be permitted between APNIC account holders and NIR members if and when individual NIRs implement the transfer policy.
    4. This proposal to take effect as soon as the APNIC Secretariat can implement the mechanisms of the policy.

Pending approval at each remaining stage of the PDP, APNIC will implement:

  • Prop-69: Global policy proposal for the allocation of IPv4 blocks to RIRs with the following clarifications:
    1. The minimum size for redistributions by IANA is to be explicitly documented.
    2. Examples of how IANA would redistribute space to the RIRs to be added.

The community at APNIC 27 endorsed prop-69.

19. NIR SIG report

The following NIRs provided updates:

  • CNNIC - Update on resource allocations and other activities.
  • TWNIC - The status of 4-byte AS numbers in Taiwan
  • KRNIC - A national plan for Internet resources in Korea; plans to encourage IPv6 deployment
  • VNNIC - Plans to encourage IPv6 deployment
  • JPNIC - Update of policy coordination on the transfer proposal in Japan

20. Open discussion (open mic)

There was discussion on the numbers of IPv4 allocations levelling off or dropping in the RIPE and ARIN regions. This may be due to a policy change at RIPE which allowed members more flexibility with regard to their allocations, but RIPE do not regard this as a "drop-off".

21. APNIC 28 launch

APNIC 28 will be held in Beijing, China from 24 to 28 August 2009.

22. EC Election results

Of 227 ballots counted, the four successful candidates for the EC were:

  • Jian Zhang - 1,527
  • James Spenceley - 1,468
  • Kuo-Wei Wu - 1,355
  • Hyun-Joon Kwon - 1,077

23. Thanks and closing

The meeting ended at 15.30 with a vote of thanks to all the sponsors and to all those who participated in making APNIC 27 a successful event.