IP addresses are provided to FlexNetworks from the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) such as ARIN. In turn, FlexNetworks lends those IP addresses to our customers for use while connected to our network. The size of the IP address loan varies and is solely based on the continually demonstrated and documented need of the customer.

• FlexNetworks Default IPv4 Address Assignments

The default IPv4 address allocation for all FlexIP dedicated Internet access customers is as follows:  

1. FlexNetworks assigns one (1) static Customer IP address (/30 subnet) to the Customer network interface as the default.  This interconnection is between the FlexNetworks’ router and Customer router and is referred to as the point-to-point IP subnet.

1. The option to support five (5) static Customer IP addresses (/29 subnet) for the point-to-point interface is available should the customer deem it necessary.  

1. The longest prefix permitted for the point-to-point interconnection between the FlexNetworks router and Customer router is a /28.  IPv4 prefixes larger than a /28 will be routed to the Customer’s network.

• Customers Requesting Larger IPv4 Addressing Allocations

FlexNetworks assigns IPv4 addresses to customers based on IETF RFC7020, RFC6177, ARIN guidelines, and customer-supplied, detailed documented need.

FlexNetworks adheres to ARIN requirements for our allocation policies, and we must maintain documentation that demonstrates efficient IPv4 address utilization.  Efficient utilization is shown by collecting information from each customer on how they are implementing the IPv4 addressing resources on their network.  ARIN, and FlexNetworks, requires this detail for every assignment and allocation greater than a /29.

As a result, customers are required to provide the same information to FlexNetworks that FlexNetworks provides to ARIN.

Customers requesting IP address allocations greater than the above defaults, must demonstrate efficient usage of IP addresses by filling out an IP Justification (IPJ) form.  The IPJ needs to be filled out in its entirety, including the section devoted to the customer’s current IP assignments.

For IPv4 requests of a /27 (32 IPs) or larger, please contact your Account Executive.  Requests of this size are handled on a case-by-case basis, and will require extensive documentation, including network engineering plans.

• Resolver DNS  

Doman Name Service (DNS) is the basic network service that translates host domain names into corresponding IP addresses, and vice-versa.  FlexNetworks does not provide primary and/or secondary DNS resolvers.  

The public DNS 1.1.1.1, operated by Cloudflare, offers the fastest and most private way to browse the Internet. Unlike most DNS resolvers, 1.1.1.1 does not sell user data to advertisers. In addition, 1.1.1.1 has been measured to be the fastest DNS resolver available.  Additionally, Customers also adopt Google’s public DNS 8.8.8.8, and/or 8.8.4.4 may also be used as resolvers.  

• Reverse DNS (PTR Records)  

A DNS pointer record (PTR for short) provides the domain name associated with an IP address.  A DNS PTR record is exactly the opposite of the ‘A’ record, which provides the IP address associated with a domain name.  DNS PTR records are used in reverse DNS lookups.  When a user attempts to reach a domain name in their browser, a DNS lookup occurs, matching the domain name to the IP address.  A reverse DNS lookup is the opposite of this process: it is a query that starts with the IP address and looks up the domain name.

When requesting Reverse DNS (PTR Record) for your FlexNetworks IP Address space, Customers are advised to email Reverse DNS requests or technical questions to provisioning@flexnetworks.ca.

• BGP

Multi-homed, multi-provider BGP requires that the Customer provide an ARIN-assigned IPv4 allocation of /24 or more in addition to having a public ASN.  However, if the Customer already has a /24 or more from the other provider with whom BGP will be run, then FlexNetworks will use that /24 or greater for the customer’s FlexNetworks service. 

FlexNetworks does not need to assign its own prefix if the end user already has adequate network resources. Customers do not need multiple /24 or more from each provider in order to participate in multi-vendor BGP sessions.

FlexNetworks will need a Letter of Authority (LOA) from the customer’s other provider permitting FlexNetworks to originate their IPv4 prefix.

• Physical Interface Types

1. Where the Customer UNI is 1 Gbps (1 GE), the following physical interface types are available

1. 1000Base T (RJ-45 Copper)
2. 1000Base SX-MMF (Gigabit Ethernet over multi-mode fiber)
3. 1000Base LX-SMF (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber)
4. Where the Customer UNI is 10 Gbps (1 0GE), the following physical interface types are available
5. 10GBase SR-MMF (10 Gigabit Ethernet over multi-mode fiber)
6. 10GBase LR-SMF (10 Gigabit Ethernet over multi-mode fiber)