Welcome! APNIC Training Proposal for the collaborative development of a common Internet educational curriculum APAN January 2007 Manila Cecil Goldstein

Overview: This presentation seeks to propose an initiative for collaboration between APNIC and educational institutions in the AP region to develop, maintain, share and deliver teaching material about the structure, operation and current state of the Internet.

Agenda Background and motivation About APNIC Relevant topics in operational Internet education Advantages and benefits Operational model Invitation

Background and motivation The Internet today The tasks and difficulties facing educationalists Views on the state of Internet knowledge taught Response and motivation

The Internet today Dynamic Evolving Devolving Esoteric Commercially driven Conflicting views Jurisdiction and legalities Governance Technologies Exposed Targetted A resource, a source, a repository

The problem for educationalists In the face of this constantly changing and evolving Internet environment, educationalists are faced with the task of having to prepare future network professionals with both the theoretical concepts of internetworking as well as an understanding of the practical operation and functionality of the Internet as it currently applies.

The difficulties: Maintaining own currency –Technologies –Operation –Structure –Management and policy Untangling the complexities Knowing what to present Sourcing and maintaining material Practical exposure

The current situation This is not scientific!!!! Based on: –Own experience –Other’s experience –Anecdotal –Operator experience –Observed operational issues Concepts, theories presented well Practical knowledge of the structure, operation, management of the Internet is lacking Students are lacking practical, relevant understanding

Response and motivation Reaction to some initial discussion has indicated that academics, students and those involved in the operation of the Internet clearly endorse the need to effectively provide such knowledge and understanding in teaching programs. Improvement in Internet knowledge for network professionals will enhance –Productivity –Efficiency –Progress –Best Practice

About APNIC APNIC is ideally positioned to support such an initiative –AP organisation –Focussed on supporting Internet operation through supporting its members –Strong emphasis on training, education and outreach to also promote Internet development –Core resources Members are Internet operators (ISPs, Telcos other NW operators) Training and Education Unit Remote access training lab Strong ties and involvement with Internet management and leadership organisations Close support from Internet technology subject specialists

What is APNIC?

Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for the Asia Pacific Region –Regional authority for Internet Resource distribution –IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6), AS numbers, in- addr.arpa delegation Membership-based organisation –Established 1993 –Non-profit, neutral and impartial Not operations forum Not standards development

The RIR structure Five RIRs today –Open –Transparent –Neutral and impartial Addresses distributed fairly –Based on need –No discrimination Not for profit membership organisation –Membership open to all interested parties –Bottom up, industry self-regulatory structure Policies developed by industry at large –Through open policy processes

What is the APNIC community? Open forum in the Asia Pacific –Open to any interested parties Voluntary participation Decisions made based on consensus Public meetings Mailing lists –web archived

The APNIC community! Open forum in the Asia Pacific –Open to any interested parties Global Internet Community APNIC Internet Community IETF ISOC Individuals APNIC Members – A voice in regional Internet operations through participation in APNIC APAN NZNOG ISP Associations PACNOG

APNIC structure Industry self-regulatory structure – Participation by those who use Internet resources – Consensus-based decision making Eg. Policy changes, db requirements etc – Open and transparent Meetings and mailing lists –Open to anyone –

What does APNIC do? APNIC meetings Web and ftp site Publications, mailing lists Outreach seminars Information dissemination Training Internet Resource management Technical workshops and tutorials - Subsidised for members Schedule: Training & Outreach Facilitating the policy development process Implementing policy changes Policy development IPv4, IPv6, ASNs Reverse DNS delegation Resource registration Authoritative registration server whois Resource service

Policy development process

Why a policy? Long term interests of the Internet requires prudent management of address space While address management is not a pure “technical” issue, mismanaged management can severely impact Internet operation. –routing tables –filtering and accessibility –Imbalance of distribution

Policy development Industry self-regulatory process –Policy is developed by the AP Internet community to suit needs of region –Facilitated by RIR staff Policy implementation –APNIC shares with its members and their customers a collective responsibility RIR process ISPs and other affected parties

Policy Principles Address space not freehold property –Understanding that globally unique address space is licensed for use – not owned Routability not guaranteed Minimum allocation is defined

Participation in policy development To be aware of the current policies for managing address space allocated. Business reasons Policies affect business operating environments and are constantly changing Ensure ‘needs’ are met Educational Improve operational capabilities and practices Learn and share experiences Stay abreast with ‘best practices’ in the Internet Facilitate Internet development

Policy Development Process OPEN TRANSPARENT‘BOTTOM UP’ Anyone can participate All decisions & policies documented & freely available to anyone Internet community proposes and approves policy Need DiscussEvaluate Implement Consensus

The policy development process Proposal (4 w before meeting) ML discussion Meeting discussion Consensus Report to AMM Implementation (3 months) Consensus EC endorsement Comment period (8 weeks) NeedDiscussConsensusImplement You can participate! More information about policy development can be found at:

An operational education - what can or should be taught? A curriculum can be developed to focus on the operational knowledge, understanding and capabilities a network professional should acquire to effectively function in the prevailing Internet environment

Topics and Issues – some examples While a curriculum would be the subject for collaborative development, there are a number of clearly defined areas that should be included: Many of these may currently already be part of some courses. However, the would still be scope to provide support, currency, consistency and operational input.

Topics –Internet addressing Issues -Classfull addressing still emphasised -Lack of understand of management and allocation policies Topics -CIDR -Acquiring address space -Managing address space -Policies –Governance and policy –Legal issues

Topics…. Operation –ISPs –Transit providers –IXs Structure and connectivity Peering Multi-homing IPv6 – its current state Economics of the Internet

Topics ctd……. Security concerns –Spam –Attacks Security measures –Intrusion detection –Darknets –Bogon filtering –CA routing –Forensics Root servers – mirroring and anycasting Traffic engineering

Topics ctd… Aggregation –Issues Impact on routing and the routing table Internet leadership and management Organisations –Roles and interrelationships eg: ICANN/IANA, RIR structure, ISOC, IAB, IETF, IGF, Operator Groups (NOGs), APRICOT, APAN Resources and Information –Routing report –CIDR report

Advantages and Benefits Common, consistent and relevant material Procedures for update and currency maintenance Industry input Modularity – shared development Local emphasis Local language support Expert input and review Professional development - preparatory workshops, seminars, guidance for teachers

Possibilities International funding Vendor support ISP internships Participation in Internet forums,meetings Operational experience Affiliations and associations

Outcomes The effective implementation of such a program would hopefully result in networking professionals entering the industry more prepared, aware and appropriately skilled, therefore enhancing Internet operation and development in the constituent communities

Operational Model (suggestion only) Initial mailing list for interested parties Nominations to a working group Development of curriculum and action plan Establishment of working parties –Interaction with experts, operators, industry –Building of website, material store –Program for delivery and support

Next steps….. Invitation If you are interested, please me at If you are interested in being involved in a working group, please indicate in your Thank you!!