Early Registration Transfer Project - Frequently Asked Questions

Some AS numbers and address resources were allocated to entities before the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) processes were established. Having been managed by US-based organisations during that period, these resources have since been managed by ARIN.

Many entities now have resource records both in the ARIN database and in the database of their local RIR. When these entities need to make a modification to one of their records or request additional resources, there is often confusion about which RIR needs to be contacted. Eliminating the need to maintain resource records in two separate databases will reduce the overhead of these entities, and is a goal of the Early Registration Transfer (ERX) Project.

Additionally, it is often difficult for organisations outside the ARIN region to communicate with the ARIN staff due to considerable differences in time zones.

In response to requests by the community to relocate data management from ARIN to the appropriate regions, the RIRs have begun the migration of these early registration records.

Which resources are part of the ERX project?

All Autonomous System numbers as well as the former "Class B" address space, namely 128/2, and selected "Class C" address space, namely 192/8, 196/8, and 198/8.

What should I do if the information in the database is incorrect?

To ensure the integrity of information in the APNIC Whois Database, APNIC will not update information about ERX ranges in the APNIC Whois Database until the resource holder can prove the organisation's right to the resources and has a formal agreement with APNIC as a member or non-member account holder. For more information, see Guide to the maintenance of historical Internet resources.

Will this change cost me or my organisation any money?

If the information in the database is correct, and you do not need to update any details, there are no costs involved for your organisation.

If you wish to update information in the database, you will need to create an APNIC account. If you are an APNIC member, you can update any ERX resource registrations for free. The minimum fee to become an APNIC non-member account holder with the ability to update historical ERX records is US$100. For more information, see Guide to the maintenance of historical Internet resources.

If you wish to transfer ERX resources to another organisation, the organisation receiving the ERX resources must be a current APNIC account holder. For more information on transferring resources, see the Guide to the transfer of historical Internet resources.

If the data relocation process exposes disputes over registration, and use of address resources, your organisation may be required to pay non-RIR managed expenses.

For some entities, the benefits of increased efficiency will far outweigh any longer term costs.

We received some IP addresses a long time ago, and have had little to no contact with any of the RIRs. What difference does it make to have my IP addresses registered in ARIN's or APNIC's database?

The Early Registration Transfer Project is to benefit the Internet community as a whole. Although you may be required to establish a new relationship with another RIR, there are significant benefits. In the future, you will only deal with your local RIR. This should mean simpler processes, and service in or close to your core working hours.

When applying for more resources, you are required to account for early registration resources. The transfer of these early registrations, should simplify this process, and helps manage all resources through a single source.

How does this change affect my network currently in operation?

If nothing in connection with your reverse-DNS has to change during the "lockout" period, then this change in data management should have no impact on deployed services.

If you discover that in transit, changes have been made to your DNS we will of course help resolve this as quickly as possible.

Do I need to become member of APNIC?

No, you don't have to become a member. Of course, we encourage resource holding entities to share the community cost for administration of the resources, but there is no obligation at this time. You may in future incur fee for service, but you may have incurred this anyway, irrespective of the relocation of data management to the RIR.

In many cases, resource holders may already be a member of an RIR in connection with other resources. If so, we welcome you choosing to fold management of these early registration resources into that framework.

Who decides on what information will be in the new object in the RIR database?

Will I be able to communicate directly with any RIR from now on?

Yes, anybody can communicate directly with any RIR. Some channels for communication are of course restricted to members, and require membership codes, but in principle, all of the RIRs are open to input and communication from all Internet users.

However, we suggest that where your inquiry relates to resources which have been relocated, requests for assistance with management of the resources and associated data be directed at the RIR which now holds the records for your resource. You can expect other RIRs to ask you to primarily use the in-region RIR for communication in this context.

Do I have to move my data? I don't want the bother.

If we have misidentified your entity as being outside the ARIN region then you can keep the data with ARIN. If the country attribute associated with your resource record is in another RIR's region, your resource record will be transferred to that RIR.

What information in the ARIN WHOIS database will be affected?

Any AS number or IP address space that was registered prior to ARIN's existence, with a country attribute outside of the ARIN region will be affected.

Does this affect my domain name?

No. Only network resource information is affected. No whois objects held by any other agency, relating to any other purpose than assignments or allocations of Internet address or AS number resources are affected.

Do I get to keep my XYZ123-ARIN NIC-handle?

If you retain any resources in the ARIN region, you may keep ARIN NIC-handles and data in ARIN Whois but in the relocation of data management from ARIN to APNIC, it is necessary to have a new NIC-handle generated to avoid clashes with existing records.

I have never used the APNIC Whois database and do not know how to make updates, what do I do?

I am not familiar with policies and procedures, where can I find more information?

You mentioned 'domain' as one of the objects in the RIR database. I thought domain names weren't affected?

Domain names are not affected. APNIC and RIPE use 'domain' objects in the management of reverse delegations, for example x.y.z.in-addr.arpa.

If the IP addresses that are being transferred, have in-addr.arpa nameservers attached, these nameservers are added to the RIR database as domain objects, and are automatically included in the zone reloads.

My reverse delegation has gone away or is incorrect.

All information received from ARIN was transferred into APNIC resource management processes. If, at the time of transfer, your reverse delegation depended upon incorrect details formerly managed at ARIN or did not have a delegation record, this will have been detected in transfer and therefore removed from the authoritative parent zone. Please contact us to have your current delegation details updated. Please be aware that you may have to prove your relationship to the delegation.

How do I go about managing my resource with APNIC?

Each RIR has specific methods for authorising changes and establishing authentication. At the time of transfer, if the contact-of-record does not already have an established means of authentication with the recipient RIR, the RIR will place your records in a 'hold-harmless' state.

You can establish a means of authentication by completing some simple proof of relationship processes to identify yourself. In most cases, readily available information from another authorised person (such as a data centre manager, company officer) will suffice. It is recommended that you establish a means of authentication prior to transfer.

I was notified that my records were transferred to APNIC, but the records are not visible at whois.apnic.net?

Please contact APNIC. Be sure to include the affected records and the date of transfer.

I have read all the FAQs, but still have questions. How do I contact APNIC?

If you are unable to find the answers to your questions on the APNIC web sites, please send an email to helpdesk@apnic.net. E-mail will allow APNIC to ticket and correctly track your questions and comments for a more informed response.