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.