Why should it matter that there is still unused IP address from internet version 4 when IPv6 is available?
Especially when IPv6 will run off a 128-bit system and essentially is believed to never run out of space (How to Find Unused IPv4 Addresses).
Facts to Know before Entering the IPv4 Marketplace
It’s simple; it’s not as easy to move to IPv6 as turning a switch. It is difficult and takes time and is expensive.
Many companies were assigned and stockpiled an enormous amount of IPv4 addresses not knowing exactly how many they would need. Now those corporations hold numerous unused IPv4 assets (How to Find Unused IPv4 Addresses).
A Market for Unused IPv4 Addresses
Even with the rollout of IPv6, there is still a market for unused IPv4 addresses.
According to some resources, Asia-Pacific is the primary source of IPv4 numbers and the secondary source is legacy. Between 1983 and 1987 of early registration, 1.4 billion numbers were given out. The way the numbers played out, meant that many organizations were neck and neck with as much space as APNIC with many of them not being used at all.
While Class A Space is used up, there is unused space in class B and roughly over 8k spaces that are not in use, with over 6k companies.
IPv6 Allows For Bigger Payloads Than IPv4
If this makes you wonder how this all became, in the early 1990’s many addresses were given out freely just to help make the internet a success. It was quite easy to get a frame-relay E1/T1 or ISDN connection by filling out a simple form. If a company had more than 240 hosts, they were automatically classified as Class B/16. Think about how many years ago this actually was. Twenty-eight years ago! If the company even exists right now, what is the chance that there is even a record of the space allocated? Probably slim. More than likely the business is dissolved and out of business (How to Find Unused IPv4 Addresses).
IPv4 Blocks and CIDR Netting
There is clean IP address, unused IPv4 blocks that have no reverse DNS if this is the case.
There might be an enormous source of IPv4 addresses waiting to be revealed if these are real facts.
How to find unused IPv4 addresses
The first tip to find unused IPv4 addresses is to find a reputable partner that can facilitate your needs for IPv4 space.
Private parties ‘ buying and selling has become the best answer to the free address depletion epic.
With so many numbers unused or utilized, hiring a qualified partner that can put you in touch with a buyer or seller, is often better than going at it alone.
Before you set out to buy addresses, you should be familiar with a few crucial points of interest. Find a partner that has a trusted name in the industry and understands the process with your local registry
- Acquire legal counsel. These negotiations can be similar to a large asset purchase. The legal jargon can leave an inexperienced buyer feeling quite overwhelmed.
- Price – What is your total costs per block of address.
- Transaction Fees – What will the transaction fees be from start to finish?
- Brokerage and Bank Fees – Get it in writing on any bank or transfer fee. Use only well known trusted escrow banking services.
- Above all else, be mindful of fraud. Do due diligence to protect yourself.
Buy IPv4 space
Every Region has their own process for facilitating the transfer of IPv4 space and procedure to purchase IPv4 Addresses from one organization to another.
RIPE Transfer Process:
If the buyer is an LIR member in good standing with RIPE NCC, they do not require a pre-approval for IPv4 transfers.
- A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) might be signed to protect both the buyer and seller’s confidential matters.
- The buyer must thoroughly inspect the IPv4 address the seller has to offer.
- Both parties must sign an asset purchase agreement (APA). A legal contract defining all terms and conditions. It is vital to seek legal counsel when making such contracts.
- Include detailed payment terms in the APA. A payment mechanism such as an escrow account, a letter of credit or a solicitors account must be in place for the buyer to make his/her payments.
- RIPE uses a Transfer Agreement and Company Registration paper to make the transfer complete. RIPE will then update the registry of IPs.
- After payment is complete, the seller will provide the buyer with documentation of the final sale.
- Now, the buyer can announce their IP address on the internet.
ARIN and APNIC Transfer Process:
- APNIC and ARIN require buyers to get pre-approval on a 24-month needs basis.
- A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) should ideally be signed to protect both the buyer and seller’s confidential matters.
- The buyer must thoroughly inspect the selling IPv4 Addresses Block which the seller has to offer.
- Both parties must sign an asset purchase agreement (APA). A legal contract defining all terms and conditions. It is vital to seek legal counsel when making such contracts.
- Include detailed payment terms in the APA. A payment mechanism such as an escrow account, a letter of credit or a solicitors account must be in place for the buyer to make his/her payments. If agreed upon by both parties, they can also choose payment after transfer.
- APNIC/ARIN releases the IPs to the buyer only after: the IPv4 Addresses Block Seller releases the IPs, buyer accepts them, and APNIC/ARIN bills the buyer.
- After the transfer is complete, the seller will receive payment.
- Upon completion of payment, the IPv4 seller will provide the buyer with the final sale paperwork
- Now, on the Internet, the IPv4 buyer can announce their IP address.
