LIR Services

BittenBytes is a registered Local Internet Registry (LIR) with the RIPE NCC (ORG-BW80-RIPE). As an LIR we can act as a sponsor for organisations that require their own internet number resources in the RIPE NCC service region.

LIR services are the services a LIR provides to organisations that need internet number resources (IP address space and AS numbers) but are not RIPE NCC members themselves. Only a LIR can request these resources from the RIPE NCC. Through sponsoring, a LIR takes on the administrative role and maintains the contractual relationship with the RIPE NCC on behalf of the requesting organisation. That is what BittenBytes does.

Interested? Get in touch via the contact form. Prefer Dutch? Read the Nederlandse uitleg over LIR services.

Do you need your own address space or an ASN?

For most organisations, an IP address from the ISP is enough, and that stays true. Your own resources become relevant when one of these applies:

• You want to multihome. Two or more upstream providers, with the same IP addresses and routing behaviour on both. That requires address space that is not tied to a single provider;
• You change provider regularly. With provider-assigned addresses you lose them when you leave. Your own address space moves with you;
• You run your own BGP infrastructure. Once an organisation announces routes on the internet itself, its own AS number is required;
• You need routable IPv6 space for a network, test or research environment, without a full RIPE NCC membership.

The Dutch article LIR services: eigen ASN of IP-adressen nodig? goes through these situations in more detail.

PI, PA or ASN: which one?

Provider Independent (PI) Address Space

Provider Independent (PI) address space is assigned directly to an end-user organisation and is not tied to any specific upstream provider. This means you can keep your IP addresses regardless of which ISP you use.

Who is this for?

• Organisations that multihome or plan to do so;
• Organisations running their own BGP infrastructure;
• Organisations that need stable, portable IP addressing.

What we offer

We can sponsor your PI address space request at the RIPE NCC. As your sponsoring LIR we handle the administrative process and maintain the required contractual relationship with RIPE NCC on your behalf.

Available resources:

• IPv6 PI (/48 minimum)

IPv4 PI: RIPE NCC no longer has IPv4 address space available for allocation. If your organisation requires IPv4 PI, addresses must be acquired on the secondary market. We can assist in that process and handle the sponsoring and registration once space has been obtained.

ASN Sponsoring

An Autonomous System Number (ASN) is required to run BGP and exchange routing information on the internet. BittenBytes can sponsor an ASN request for your organisation.

Who is this for?

• Organisations running their own BGP infrastructure;
• Networks connecting to one or more Internet Exchanges;
• Organisations multihoming with multiple upstream providers.

What we offer

We sponsor your ASN request at the RIPE NCC. We handle the paperwork and act as your sponsoring LIR for as long as you need the resource.

Both 2-byte and 4-byte ASNs are available. RIPE NCC issues 4-byte ASNs by default.

IPv6 PA Blocks

Provider Aggregatable (PA) address space is allocated from our own block and assigned to you as a customer. Unlike PI space, PA addresses are tied to BittenBytes as the upstream, but for many use cases that trade-off is fine: it is cheaper and much faster to arrange.

Who is this for?

• Homelab operators, researchers, or developers needing a routable IPv6 prefix;
• Small organisations or projects that do not require full PI resources;
• Anyone wanting to experiment with IPv6 routing without the overhead of a full RIPE NCC membership.

What we offer

• IPv6 PA assignments from AS213052’s allocated space;
• Prefix sizes from /48 upwards, depending on need;
• BGP routing included via AS213052.

How a sponsoring request works

1. Intake. We discuss which type of resource you need, what you will use it for, and whether you already have an ASN or need one as well.
2. Request. BittenBytes handles the request at the RIPE NCC.
3. Ongoing. We stay your point of contact for the contractual side, so your organisation does not need to learn the ins and outs of RIPE NCC membership.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a RIPE NCC member?

No. That is the point of sponsoring: BittenBytes is the LIR and holds the relationship with the RIPE NCC for you.

Can I get IPv4 PI space?

Not directly from the RIPE NCC, which has no IPv4 space left to allocate. IPv4 has to be acquired on the secondary market. We can help with that and handle the sponsoring and registration once you have the space.

What is the difference between PI and PA?

PI space is assigned to you and moves with you when you change provider. PA space comes from our own block and is tied to BittenBytes as upstream. PA is cheaper and faster to arrange.

2-byte or 4-byte ASN?

Both are available. RIPE NCC issues 4-byte ASNs by default.

Do I need BGP experience?

Not for the request itself. If you plan to announce your own prefixes, see our peering policy and, for business connectivity, zakelijk internet via AS213052.

Pricing & Contact

Pricing depends on the type of resource and the duration of the sponsorship agreement.

To discuss your needs or request a quote, get in touch via the contact form.

Please include in your email:

• The type of resource you need (PI IPv4, PI IPv6, ASN, or IPv6 PA);
• Your organisation name and country;
• A brief description of your intended use.

Unsure whether you need your own resources at all? The Dutch guide to LIR services helps you decide.

BittenBytes operates as a RIPE NCC LIR under ORG-BW80-RIPE. All resource requests are subject to RIPE NCC policies and eligibility criteria.