Using JIRA, how can I reserve a block of numbers?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Generally you don't.  Could you explain what you are actually trying to do though, as that could lead us to a better answer than the handful of total bodges I am imagining.

[James Shivers]

Sure. Within a particular project we want certain number ranges to coincide with particular issues. For example, hardware issues get a number in the 5000's while software issues get a number in the 6000s. I know this could be differentiated via separate issue types in the project, but I was asked to investigate further. Thanks.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

OK, there's no way to do that at all. JIRA uses the next free number, and it never goes back to reuse numbers, even if you've skipped them. It's a pretty horrid way to differentiate between hardware and software, it sounds like an inherited bodge from a system that wasn't designed as a proper issue tracker. I'd take the opportunity to drop the idea from your processes and do it properly, with proper issue types or separate projects.