On Sep 19, 2012, at 5:01 AM, Tim Franklin <t...@pelican.org> wrote: >> So...why do you need publicly routable IP addresses if they aren't >> publicly routable? > > Because the RIRs aren't in the business of handing out publicly routable > address space. They're in the business of handing out globally unique > address space - *one* of the reasons for which may be connection to the > "public Internet", whatever that is at any given point in time and space. > > RIPE are really good about making the distinction and using the latter phrase > rather than the former. I'm not familiar enough with the corresponding ARIN > documents to comment on the language used there.
It's very clear in the ARIN region as well. From the ARIN Number Resource Policy Manual (NRPM), <https://www.arin.net/policy/nrpm.html#four11> - "4.1. General Principles 4.1.1. Routability Provider independent (portable) addresses issued directly from ARIN or other Regional Registries are not guaranteed to be globally routable." FYI, /John John Curran President and CEO ARIN