Obtaining a Network Number

Obtaining a Network Number

You should obtain an Internet network number before you begin setting up your network.The allocation of network numbers is managed by a set of organizations called Network Information Centers (NICs). If your network is going to be isolated, and will never be attached to the Internet, you can theoretically use any addresses you like. However, if your network is ever going to be attached to the Internet, you should obtain a valid network number. Before you request the network number, you should determine the current needs of your organization (how many systems do you currently have that should be on the network?) and expected growth over the next five years.

There are several ways to obtain a network number. In many cases the best option, if you are connecting to the Internet through an Internet service provider, is to have the service provider assign you a portion of the address space they have been allocated by the local NIC.

The InterNIC recommends that you request a network number from your network service provider. If they cannot supply one, contact your provider's provider. As a last resort, contact your Network Information Center. See "Contacting Your Local Network Information Center".

NIC Required Information

To request an Internet network address, you will typically need to supply the following information to the local NIC:

Your administrative point of contact (POC). The administrative POC is the person responsible for answering administrative and policy questions about the network. You need to know his/her name, title, mailing address, and phone number.
Your technical point of contact (POC). The technical POC is responsible for the technical support of the network. You need to know his/her name, title, mailing address, and phone number.
Organization name and postal address.
Your network name (up to 12 characters).
Your network's geographic location and organization name.
The name and location of the network document plan.
Gateway information (connectivity, hardware, software, address).
The approximate size of your network (number of hosts and subnets), initially and within one year.
Type of network (research, educational, government non-defense, commercial).

If you already have one or more network numbers assigned to your organization, the NIC ,may require you to provide information on how these are being used, as evidence that you really need a new network number.

If you request 16 or more Class C network numbers, the InterNIC requires you to provide information on network topology, and if you request 256 or more Class C network numbers or a Class B network number, the InterNIC requires you to provide a diagram of the proposed network.