- APNIC has launched a new registry API, allowing members to automate network management tasks like whois record updates and ROA handling.
- This new tool aims to streamline operations, particularly for smaller ISPs, offering batch processing and reducing manual intervention for complex networks.
What happened
APNIC has officially launched its new registry API, responding to requests from its members for a more efficient way to manage network resources. This API allows users to automate tasks that previously required manual intervention, such as retrieving delegation data, managing whois records, reverse DNS, and handling ROAs (Route Origin Authorizations) and route objects. The full OpenAPI specification is available online, providing developers with the necessary documentation to integrate and customize the API’s functionalities.
With the API, members can automate changes to network configurations without needing to access MyAPNIC manually. For example, members who need to create new ROAs or announce changes in Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) can do so automatically using the API, significantly reducing the workload for network administrators. This feature is particularly valuable for large organisations managing complex networks, allowing them to make multiple changes at once through a batch process, ensuring that these updates take effect transactionally when possible.
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Why it’s important
The introduction of the APNIC registry API marks a significant shift in how network operations can be managed, particularly for small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs) and other network operators. For these smaller entities, manual processes can be time-consuming and prone to human error, especially when it comes to managing key network components like Route Origin Authorizations (ROAs), whois records, and reverse DNS. The new API allows these operators to automate these tasks, enabling them to focus on improving their services rather than getting bogged down by routine updates.
Smaller ISPs often operate with limited staff and resources, and manual updates to BGP announcements or routing tables can be a strain. By leveraging the APNIC API’s automation capabilities, they can reduce the workload associated with managing their networks. This is particularly useful for growing companies that are scaling their operations and need to maintain agility in their network management. The batch processing functionality further helps operators make multiple updates at once, providing a more streamlined and efficient way of keeping their network data accurate and up-to-date.
Moreover, automation in network management is becoming an industry standard, driven by the increasing complexity of modern networks. As digital infrastructure becomes more critical—especially with the rise of cloud services, edge computing, and IoT—tools like the APNIC registry API ensure that even smaller companies can remain competitive. Automating these processes allows for faster reaction times when changes are required and minimizes the risks associated with manual input errors.
Larger tech companies like cloud service providers and data centers have long adopted automated processes to maintain operational efficiency. Now, with the availability of this API, smaller players can implement the same level of sophistication in their systems. This democratization of advanced network management tools helps level the playing field, allowing smaller companies to adopt best practices without requiring the development of in-house solutions.
APNIC’s API addresses a growing need in the industry: the automation of network management for improved efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. As more organisations rely on seamless digital infrastructures, tools like this will become essential for all network operators—big or small.
