AS Numbers are a vital part of the Internet core routing system, the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). With existing 16-bit AS Numbers predicted to run out in early 2011, RIPE will issue 32-bit AS Numers by default, unless otherwise specifically requested,  from 1 January 2009. The operators are urged to verify that their vendor routers will support 32-bit AS Numbers. RIPE began the allocation of 32-bit AS Numbers by request in January 2007; January 2009 marks the transition to allocating 32-bit AS Numbers by default.