The real problem is the internal structs we use in the software: they don't allow the programmer to change the object's text representation easily. That's why it requires a biggish effort to implement this.

If this is so, then we will run into many problems in future. I don't think ip-ranges will be the only things that will need to be stored in the db. Just think of routes, ases, whatever! This behaviour should be possibly avoided. Don't you think it would be wise to solve the problem now? Greets, Andres