Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Center (RIPE NCC) manages IP assets for Europe, the Middle East, and some parts of Central Asia. If you're a company or organization based in those locations, having a RIPE IP address is crucial for secure and reliable Internet access. In this article, we'll provide a concise overview of the process to obtain your RIPE IP address.
Understanding RIPE NCC
RIPE NCC is the longest-existing regional Internet registry (RIR), having been established in 1992. It is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands with an office in Dubai, UAE. They oversee the allocation of IP assets in their region, including the allocation of IPv6 addresses.
The Role of RIPE in IP Address Management
RIRs like RIPE are responsible for managing and distributing crucial Internet identifiers, such as autonomous system numbers and IP addresses. These identifiers enable devices and websites to connect to the Internet seamlessly. Without them, it will be impossible to exist in the online space.
RIPE and other RIRs are responsible for managing and allocating IP addresses within their respective regions. They are assigned a pool of addresses, which they must distribute fairly and sustainably.
What is IPv6?
Most devices rely on IP version 4, commonly referred to as IPv4. However, due to the exponential growth of entities connecting to the Internet, IPv4 addresses are becoming scarce. We didn't anticipate the number of websites, appliances, watches, phones, and other devices that will need IP addresses to connect to the Internet.
This situation, known as IPv4 exhaustion, prompted organizations and device manufacturers to adopt IPv6 as a solution.
Unlike IPv4, which uses only numbers to identify addresses, IPv6 employs a combination of letters and numbers, providing a much larger pool of available addresses. This expanded address space accommodates the exponential demand for IP addresses, ensuring a sustainable future for Internet connectivity.
How to Get an IPv6 Address from RIPE NCC
Both members and non-members of RIPE NCC can request for an IP address. There are two different processes for application depending on which category you fall into.
Application Process for Non-Members
If you are not a member of RIPE NCC, you can still request for an IP assignment. These are the steps:
1. Find a RIPE NCC member to sponsor your request.
2. Gather the required documentation, including a recent registration document from the relevant national authorities, a digital copy of your passport or other valid ID document, and a signed Independent Assignment Request and Maintenance Agreement. RIPE NCC provides two types of these: one for normal assignments and one for temporary assignments.
3. Provide your sponsoring local Internet registry (LIR) with the following RIPE Database objects information for the request:
An organization object with the full legal name of your organization.
A maintainer object (mntner) to protect the assignment.
The NIC handle of a person or role object. This will specify which end user contact is administratively or technically responsible for the assignment.
4. Ask your sponsoring LIR to start the request on your behalf.
Once your request has been processed, you will be assigned a /48 IPv6 prefix. You can use this prefix to assign IPv6 addresses to your devices and networks.
Please note that this type of application cannot be used for:
ISPs offering broadband services.
Large organization networks (organizations having separate legal sub-entities within their network)
Governmental organization networks having other entities within their network
Collocation services
Assigning a subnet to another entity
Application Process for RIPE NCC Members
Existing members can visit the IPv6 application page directly to process their request.
Please prepare the following information so that your application goes smoothly:
Specify the type of request (whether it's for providing services to your customers or on behalf of someone else).
Identify the individuals responsible for your LIR (Local Internet Registry) and number resources.
Create a "maintainer object" to secure your registration information in the RIPE database and prevent unauthorized changes.
Confirm that you will use the addresses for making assignments (in the case of IPv6 allocations).
Confirm that the addresses will be used on a network within our service region and that it has an active element.
After submitting the request, a ticket will be opened, and you will be contacted within one business day. In some cases, a representative may ask for additional details from you.
RIPE NCC, in collaboration with other RIRs, have put together this documentation of IPv6 allocation and assignment policies that you can use as a technical reference for your application.
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