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Bring Your Own IP

Bring Your Own IP (BYOIP) allows you to use your own IP address space on the NetActuate network. You retain ownership of your prefixes while benefiting from NetActuate's global Tier 1 network, anycast capabilities, and DDoS mitigation.

Definitions​

  • BYOIP -- the practice of announcing your own IP prefix from a provider's network instead of using provider-assigned addresses
  • LOA (Letter of Authorization) -- a document from the IP address holder authorizing NetActuate to announce the prefix
  • ROA (Route Origin Authorization) -- an RPKI object that authorizes a specific ASN to originate a specific prefix
  • RIR (Regional Internet Registry) -- organizations like ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, LACNIC, and AFRINIC that allocate IP address space
  • ASN (Autonomous System Number) -- the identifier for your network in BGP routing

Requirements​

To bring your own IP space to NetActuate, you need:

  1. IP prefix ownership -- you must be the registered holder of the prefix at a RIR, or have authorization from the holder
  2. Minimum prefix size -- /24 for IPv4, /48 for IPv6
  3. Letter of Authorization (LOA) -- a signed letter authorizing NetActuate (AS 13830) to announce your prefix
  4. RPKI ROA (recommended) -- a Route Origin Authorization covering the prefix and NetActuate's ASN (13830), or your own ASN if you are originating the prefix yourself
  5. Valid RIR registration -- the prefix must have current WHOIS records and not be in a reserved or bogon range

Onboarding Steps​

Step 1: Submit your prefix details​

Contact NetActuate support with the following information:

  • IP prefix(es) to announce (e.g., 198.51.100.0/24)
  • Your ASN (if applicable)
  • Desired announcement locations (all locations, specific POPs, or anycast groups)
  • Whether you need NetActuate to originate the prefix (using AS 13830) or you will originate it from your own ASN

Step 2: Provide the Letter of Authorization​

Submit a signed LOA on your organization's letterhead that includes:

  • The IP prefix(es) being authorized
  • Authorization for NetActuate (AS 13830) to announce the prefix(es)
  • The date range of authorization
  • Contact information for the authorized representative
  • Signature of the authorized representative

NetActuate support can provide an LOA template if needed.

Step 3: Create or update your ROA​

If you use RPKI (recommended), create a Route Origin Authorization that includes:

  • Prefix: your IP prefix
  • Origin ASN: AS 13830 (if NetActuate is originating) or your own ASN
  • Max length: match the prefix length you are announcing

You can create ROAs through your RIR's portal (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.).

Step 4: Configuration and testing​

Once NetActuate has validated your LOA and prefix details:

  1. NetActuate configures the prefix on the target routers.
  2. You configure BGP sessions on your VMs or servers (see the Configuring Anycast guide).
  3. Verify the prefix is announced correctly using looking glasses and BGP route viewers.
  4. Confirm reachability by testing from external networks.

Step 5: Go live​

After testing confirms correct announcement and reachability:

  • Update any DNS records pointing to the prefix
  • Migrate traffic to the NetActuate-announced prefix
  • Monitor for the first 24-48 hours to confirm global propagation stability

Using BYOIP with Anycast​

BYOIP prefixes can be used with NetActuate's anycast infrastructure. Announce the same prefix from multiple locations to get geographic load distribution and automatic failover. See:

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can I announce the same prefix from NetActuate and another provider simultaneously?

Yes. This is a mixed-provider anycast deployment. See Mixed Provider Anycast for best practices.

What happens if my RIR registration lapses?

NetActuate may be required to withdraw the announcement if the prefix registration is no longer valid. Keep your RIR records current.

Can I use BYOIP with ECMP?

Yes. BYOIP prefixes work with ECMP the same way as NetActuate-provided prefixes. See ECMP Load Balancing.

Need Help?​

Contact support@netactuate.com or open a support ticket from the portal.