Legacy IPv4 Leasing for Hosting Businesses
Cian Doherty
Expanding a VPS platform or data center requires IPv4 capacity without exhausting your infrastructure budget. Legacy IPv4 leasing provides access to established address space while keeping the upfront cost manageable. InterLIR Global offers legacy IPv4 blocks from €110 per /24 per month, with options for different deployment sizes.
Table of Contents
- What are legacy IPv4 addresses and how do they differ from RIR-allocated space?
- What block sizes can you lease: /24, /23 or /22?
- Lease or buy IPv4: which is cheaper for a hosting business?
- How to check a legacy IPv4 block’s history before you lease it
- Can you announce leased legacy IPv4 through your own ASN?
- How to lease legacy IPv4: order process and timelines
- Ready to lease legacy IPv4 for your hosting business?
What are legacy IPv4 addresses and how do they differ from RIR-allocated space?
Legacy IPv4 addresses were distributed before, or outside, the current Regional Internet Registry system. They use the same IPv4 protocol as other public addresses; the main differences concern registration history and registry arrangements.
In January 2024, RIPE NCC estimated that legacy space represented approximately 36% of the IPv4 Internet. This describes the historical address pool, not the volume available for rent. Supply is constrained: new allocations cannot create more legacy space, and rental availability depends on existing holders releasing capacity. RIPE Labs
| What tenants should compare | Legacy IPv4 space | RIR-allocated IPv4 space |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Distributed before or outside the current RIR system | Distributed through the RIR system |
| Documents | Verify current registration, holder authority and any legacy service agreement; obtain lease documentation | Verify current registration and holder authority; obtain lease documentation |
| Leasing and transfers | Leasing follows applicable terms; sale procedures and retention of legacy status vary by RIR | Leasing follows applicable terms; sales follow the relevant RIR transfer procedures |
| BGP announcement | Announcing ASN; LOA and IRR/ROA records as required by the upstream; confirm RPKI access | Announcing ASN; LOA and IRR/ROA records as required by the upstream |
For both categories, check the specific resource and registry arrangements. Legacy status alone does not guarantee access to every registry service. RIPE NCC, ARIN
What block sizes can you lease: /24, /23 or /22?
Choose capacity around your deployment and expected growth. Common block sizes include:
| Block size | Total IPv4 addresses | Example deployment |
|---|---|---|
| /24 | 256 | Initial VPS cluster or dedicated server pool |
| /23 | 512 | Expanding hosting platform |
| /22 | 1,024 | Larger cloud or data center deployment |
Actual availability depends on marketplace inventory. These are total address counts; usable capacity depends on your network design.
Lease or buy IPv4: which is cheaper for a hosting business?
Leasing reduces the upfront expense. At InterLIR Global’s starting rate of €110 for a /24 per month, the cost is approximately €0.43 per address per month. At an unchanged rate, 12 months would total €1,320 in lease fees.
This leaves more capital available for servers, transit and customer acquisition. Buying may become more economical over a longer deployment, depending on the purchase price, ongoing costs and resale value. Compare both options against your expected usage period. Larger blocks are priced according to their individual offers.
Check current /24 and /23 offers on the InterLIR Global marketplace.
How to check a legacy IPv4 block’s history before you lease it
A long registration history provides useful context, but age alone does not guarantee clean addresses. Complete these five checks:
- Blocklist status: Check relevant services, including Spamhaus, and investigate active listings.
- Holder history: Review WHOIS/RDAP records, previous holders and the supplier’s authority to lease the block.
- Routing history: Examine previous origin ASNs, unexpected announcements and unexplained changes.
- Geolocation: Compare major geolocation databases and confirm whether updates are needed for your deployment.
- Reverse DNS: Review existing PTR records and confirm whether rDNS changes or delegation are available.
Can you announce leased legacy IPv4 through your own ASN?
Yes, where the block and your upstream provider support the arrangement. Select your own ASN, or your infrastructure provider’s ASN, within the assignment request.
The setup should align the intended ASN, routing records and ROA configuration. An LOA documents permission to announce the block; RPKI validates route-origin authorization. Your provider must also accept the prefix under its routing policy. InterLIR Global coordinates these steps through its assignment request workflow.
How to lease legacy IPv4: order process and timelines
Start with an approved business account, then follow these steps:
- Marketplace order: Select the block, review the lease terms and complete payment.
- Assignment request: Open a request for your leased block.
- ASN selection: Choose the announcing ASN within the request and submit it.
- ROA/RPKI and routing records: InterLIR Global reviews the request; the supplier configures the required records.
- LOA: Download the authorization letter once the request is approved.
- BGP announcement: After activation, coordinate the announcement with your network provider.
The documented process separates ordering from routing activation. Timing depends on account verification, payment, supplier configuration and your provider’s checks. Confirm the expected activation window for your selected block before scheduling a launch.
What should hosting teams clarify before leasing legacy IPv4?
Ready to lease legacy IPv4 for your hosting business?
Visit the InterLIR Global marketplace. Our support team will help you select suitable legacy IPv4 blocks, lease the volume you need and coordinate activation.