*Now* folks need to get their tools and software adapted - and they need to know what format to code for.
For what it is worth, I agree with Gert. I can see a strong argument for storing the ASNs as an unsigned 32 bit number internally, but the user-interface and education needs to start happening now before the larger ASNs become routine. We only have just over a year until 32 bit ASNs are the default for RIR assignments. "asdot" is becoming the default, and one of the reasons for having the discussion in October was that if there was a strong desire for another representation, operators would have to express that before asdot became a fait accomplis. I was, and am, aware of George Michaelson's draft, which is why I used the terminology from it when I summed up what I felt the feeling in the room was. Cheers, Rob