ripe-52

	RIPE Database Status Report

	April 24th 1992

	Daniel Karrenberg

	RIPE NCC


 

The database of RIPE network management information continues to grow:

               Nov. 1990   Jun. 1991   Jan. 1992   Apr. 1992
    
    persons       643        1270        2728        3365
    networks      670        1053        1792        2242
    domains        0          845        1254        1360
    
    Total        1313        3168        5774        6967
    
 

Database usage by NOCs and individuals is still increasing.  In the
period form March 25th to April 24th 1992 the RIPE NCC whois server was
queried 4574 times (including 169 queries from within the NCC itself)
which is one query every 10 minutes on average.  This is astonishing for
a not too widely publicised service. 
 

The central database is now maintained by the RIPE NCC and no longer by
volunteer effort.  This means that the frequency of updates and the
consistency checking will be improved.  A new and improved distribution
of the database software is almost ready.  Sites willing to -test this
release are invited to contact the NCC. 


The EBONE action team has requested to use the RIPE database to store
EBONE routing information.  This will have a positive effect on the
accuracy of database information because network administrators will
have to register their networks in order to obtain routing via EBONE. 
The EAT currently evaluates whether the database extensions proposed by
the RIPE routing WG are sufficient for EBONE purposes.  If they are not,
the EAT is to propose further extensions. 


Per Country Statistics


	( This table only available in the PostScript version )



Database Maintenance by RIPE members


As can be seen from the per country statistics above, the maintenance
quality of the database still differs widely.  The NCC will actively
seek information in those areas where it is believed that there are many
unregistered sites.  However this will need the active cooperation of
all RIPE members. 


I'd like to use this opportunity to remind you that all updates should
be sent to

	<auto-dbm@ripe.net>. 
	
This is a new address since the NCC is now operational.  Please use the
current templates accessible by anonymous FTP from archive.ripe.net in
directory ripe/dbase.  Those who cannot use anonymous FTP can request
the templates by electronic mail from
<ncc@ripe.net>.

Pre-checked bulk updates from NOCs are preferred but information from
any source will be accepted. 

For some reason it has become popular to include large amounts of
information in the "description" attribute of various database objects. 
Please note that this object is meant for short descriptions. 
Especially since the first
"description" attribute will be used in tabulations etc.
 

Acknowledgments


Again I thank all NOCs for their efforts to maintain the RIPE database
as a useful tool for everyone within RIPE and elsewhere.Thanks also go
to EUnet/ EurOpen who have provided the machine which has housed the
database for more than two years.