What Is an Assignment Request and How Does IPv4 Activation Work?

If you’re a hosting provider in the US or EU expanding your infrastructure, you’ll eventually need to understand the assignment request and IPv4 activation processes. These terms describe how address space moves from the registry to your network—and how you get it live and routing.

This guide explains what an assignment request is, how IPv4 activation works across RIPE and ARIN regions, and the practical paths hosting providers take to get blocks online.

Table of Contents

• What Is an Assignment Request?
• Allocation vs Assignment: Key Differences
• How IPv4 Activation Works
• RIPE Assignment Request Process (EU)
• ARIN Assignment Process (US)
• RIPE vs ARIN: Comparison at a Glance
• Documents and Records You Need
• How Long Does IPv4 Activation Take?
• Marketplace Path: Bypassing the RIR Request
• Summary and Next Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is an Assignment Request?

An assignment request (or IPv4 assignment request) is the formal process of requesting address space from a Regional Internet Registry (RIR)—such as RIPE NCC or ARIN—or from an organization that holds an allocation. When you submit an assignment request, you’re asking for a block of IPv4 addresses to be registered under your organization and made available for your use.

In practice:

• Direct from RIR: You request space from RIPE’s or ARIN’s waiting list or transfer pool. This typically involves justification, documentation, and approval.
• From an LIR or holder: If you lease or buy from another organization, the holder submits the assignment request (or equivalent update) to the RIR database to reflect the reassignment or sub-allocation to you.

For hosting providers, the assignment request is often handled by your lessor, broker, or marketplace. You receive an LOA and routing details; the holder updates the RIR records. Understanding the flow helps you know what to expect and how to troubleshoot delays.

Allocation vs Assignment: Key Differences

Most hosting providers receive assignments or reassignments, not new allocations. The RIR database (RIPE DB, ARIN Whois) records these as inetnum objects with the correct status (e.g., SUB-ALLOCATED PA or ASSIGNED PA).

How IPv4 Activation Works

IPv4 activation is the process of taking a block that has been assigned to you and making it usable on the internet: updating RIR records, obtaining a Letter of Authorization (LOA), and announcing the prefix via BGP so traffic can flow.

The Typical Activation Sequence

1. Assignment or transfer completes — The block is registered to your organization in the RIR Whois database.
2. RIR records updated — Correct inetnum, route, and optionally ROA objects exist. Your organization’s contact details (including abuse-c) are present.
3. LOA issued — Your upstream receives a Letter of Authorization permitting them to accept your BGP announcements for that prefix.
4. BGP announcement — You announce the prefix from your border routers; your upstream accepts the route.
5. Connectivity verified — Traffic flows to and from your network.

Until these steps are done, the block is “assigned” on paper but not “active” for routing. IPv4 activation bridges that gap.

RIPE Assignment Request Process (EU)

For EU hosting providers, RIPE NCC governs address space in the region. Here’s how the RIPE assignment request and activation flow typically work:

1. LIR membership — You typically need an LIR account with RIPE NCC or work with a partner LIR that holds an allocation.
2. Request or receive space — Either request from RIPE (e.g., waiting list, transfer) or obtain space via lease/sale from another RIPE member.
3. RIPE database updates — The holder (or marketplace) updates the RIPE database:
   • Create or edit inetnum objects
   • Set status (e.g., SUB-ALLOCATED PA for sub-allocations, ASSIGNED PA for assignments)
   • Add or update maintainer objects
   • Configure abuse-c and routing maintainers
4. Verification — RIPE may send a verification email to the organization’s abuse mailbox.
5. LOA and routing — Once records are correct, the LOA is issued and you can announce the prefix.

Policy note: Only PA (Provider Allocated) space can be sub-allocated or leased under RIPE policy. PI (Provider Independent) addresses follow different rules.

ARIN Assignment Process (US)

For US hosting providers, ARIN manages address space. The ARIN assignment process differs in several ways:

• ARIN does not process leasing-based requests — You cannot use leased space to justify new allocations from ARIN’s Waiting List or as the basis for market transfers.
• Transfers require documentation — ARIN-to-ARIN transfers, or transfers from other RIRs, involve formal requests, contracts, and approval.
• Reassignments must be recorded — Leased addresses must be recorded as reassignments/reallocations in the ARIN Whois database.

Practical path for US operators: Most lease IPv4 through marketplaces or brokers. The commercial terms, LOA, and RIR record updates are handled by the platform. You focus on payment, verification, and routing.

RIPE vs ARIN: Comparison at a Glance

Documents and Records You Need

To activate an IPv4 block, you typically need:

• Letter of Authorization (LOA) — Authorizes your upstream to accept your BGP announcements. Usually includes prefix, ASN, and validity period.
• RIR Whois records — Correct inetnum, route, and optionally ROA objects. Ensures global routing consistency and abuse contact visibility.
• Reverse DNS delegation — If you provide rDNS for your block (e.g., for mail or hosting).

On a marketplace like InterLIR Global, the LOA and basic routing objects are typically provided automatically once the block is assigned. For direct RIR arrangements, your lessor or LIR partner handles these updates.

How Long Does IPv4 Activation Take?

Via marketplace (lease or facilitated transfer): Most operators receive LOA and routing details within 24 hours of payment and verification. You can announce the prefix as soon as your upstream accepts it.

Via direct RIR transfer: In the RIPE region, transfers typically complete in 1–2 weeks when documentation is ready. For ARIN or APNIC, expect 1–2 months due to stricter documentation requirements.

Marketplace Path: Bypassing the RIR Request

If you want to avoid the paperwork and wait times of a direct assignment request, an IPv4 marketplace handles the process for you:

1. Browse or request blocks — Choose from available /24 to /16 blocks in your target region.
2. Complete KYC and payment — The platform verifies your organization and processes payment.
3. Receive LOA and details — Typically within 24 hours, you get the LOA, prefix, and routing information.
4. Announce and verify — Configure BGP and confirm connectivity.

InterLIR Global serves hosting providers across the US and EU with blocks from /24 to /16, automated LOAs, and abuse management. You can rent IPv4 addresses for flexible terms or buy IPv4 for full ownership—without navigating RIR assignment requests yourself.

Summary and Next Steps

• An assignment request is the formal process of requesting or registering IPv4 address space with an RIR.
• IPv4 activation is the process of getting that block live: RIR records, LOA, and BGP announcement.
• RIPE (EU) and ARIN (US) have different policies and timelines; EU hosting providers often benefit from RIPE’s clearer leasing support.
• Marketplaces handle the assignment request and activation workflow, delivering LOAs in under 24 hours for most lease scenarios.

For hosting providers who need speed and simplicity, InterLIR Global offers IPv4 leasing and purchase with automated documentation. Get started to activate IPv4 space without managing RIR processes yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IPv4 assignment request?

An IPv4 assignment request is the formal process of requesting or registering a block of IPv4 addresses with a Regional Internet Registry (RIR) such as RIPE NCC or ARIN. It can come from the RIR directly (e.g., waiting list, transfer) or from an organization that holds an allocation and is reassigning space to you.

How long does IPv4 activation take?

Via an IPv4 marketplace, activation usually takes under 24 hours—you receive an LOA and can announce your prefix once your upstream accepts it. Via a direct RIR transfer, RIPE typically takes 1–2 weeks; ARIN and APNIC often take 1–2 months.

What is the difference between allocation and assignment?

An allocation is a large block given to an LIR or organization; they can sub-allocate or assign portions to others. An assignment is a block given to an end-user organization for its own use. Most hosting providers receive assignments or reassignments, not new allocations.

What documents are needed for IPv4 activation?

You need a Letter of Authorization (LOA), correct RIR Whois records (inetnum, route, and optionally ROA), and, if required, reverse DNS delegation. Marketplaces typically provide LOA and basic routing objects automatically.

Does ARIN support IPv4 assignment requests for leased space?

ARIN does not process leasing-based requests. You cannot use leased space to justify new allocations. US operators typically lease through marketplaces or brokers, who handle the commercial terms and record updates.

See Also

• How to Lease IPv4 Address Blocks in 2026 — Step-by-step guide for hosting providers
• How to Rent IPv4 Addresses — Detailed InterLIR Global rental flow
• How to Buy IPv4 — RIR transfer and ownership process
• Managing IPv4 Scarcity Through Lease — How leasing supports efficient use of IPv4
• Rent IPv4 — Flexible IPv4 leasing from InterLIR Global
• Buy IPv4 — Purchase IPv4 with full ownership