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DDN MGT Bulletin 80              DCA DDN Defense Communications System   
21 Dec 90                        Published by: DDN Network Info Center
                                     (NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL)  (800) 235-3155


                        DEFENSE  DATA  NETWORK

                         MANAGEMENT  BULLETIN

The DDN MANAGEMENT BULLETIN is distributed online by the DDN Network
Information Center under DCA contract as a means of communicating
official policy, procedures and other information of concern to
management personnel at DDN facilities.  Back issues may be read
through the TACNEWS server ("@n" command at the TAC) or may be
obtained by FTP (or Kermit) from the NIC.DDN.MIL host [192.67.67.20]
using login="anonymous" and password="guest".  The pathname
for bulletins is DDN-NEWS:DDN-MGT-BULLETIN-nn.TXT (where "nn" is the
bulletin number).
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               REGISTRATION OF IP NETWORK NUMBERS


RFC 1174 recommended eliminating the distinction between "connected"
and "unconnected" networks, i.e. between those networks connected to
the DDN and Internet, and those that are not.  Although the NIC had
made some procedural changes in order to comply with the
recommendations of RFC 1174, it is now necessary to reinstate the
previous IP network number registration polices.  This reinstatement
of the former methods is taken to provide time for a more thorough
investigation into the impact and cost of such changes.  In order to
accomplish this reinstatement, the distinction of "connected" and
"unconnected" networks must be re-established.  The following changes
are being made to restablish this distinction:

1. Effective immediately, applicants wishing to obtain IP network
   numbers must use the application dated 7/90 (later applications will
   be returned to the applicants with a request for further information).
   This application is online on the NIC.DDN.MIL host as
   NETINFO:INTERNET-NUMBER-TEMPLATE.TXT.  Applicants wishing connected
   status for their networks must identify a government sponsor
   authorizing their connection.

2. Information regarding unconnected networks and Autonomous System
   Numbers (ASNs) will no longer be available through WHOIS.

3. The NIC will contact people who registered networks or inverse
   addressing (IN-ADDR) information from the end of September to the
   present in order to ascertain their status according to the change
   in policy.  If such networks are unconnected or do not have
   government sponsors, their data will no longer be available via
   WHOIS.

4. The Official DoD Internet Host Table will be larger than it has
   been in the last few months.  Sites wishing to FTP this table should
   plan to do so in off-peak hours.


We regret the inconvenience these changes may cause network users and
thank them for their understanding and patience.  For questions
regarding the procedures, please send a message to
HOSTMASTER@NIC.DDN.MIL.  Questions regarding the policy should be
referred to Ms. Gayle Wix of DCA at (703) 285-5473 (with an alternate
contact of Maj. Richard Knisely at (202) 692-2771).