I2 JT Meeting

Part of the ESCC/Internet2 Joint Tech Meeting is something called the "IPv6 Challenge". For certain periods, the regular IPv4 wireless network is being shut off forcing anyone wanting to work on the email or surf the web use IPv6 as their transport. Texas A&M set up some sort of server to translate between IPv4 and IPv6 so you could reach the rest Internet. So far so good. I was able to reach the ESnet registration site and, in fact, I'm working on this post running over the IPv6 network. I mentioned in the last post the difficulty getting some machines up and running on the IPv6 network. People sitting all around the room downloading source, editing makefile's, then modifying config files using vi or emacs (i.e. no gui). Then engineers logging back into their systems back at their home institutions and finally determining that IPv6 peering between Internet2 and EsNet was down. It was working earlier this morning but went down around 10 or so. Bad timing but at least all those that had the access to fix the problem were in the room...

This picture demonstrates the type of conference this is (in addition to my comment about all those around the room compiling open source software during lunch). The presenter will be using software (EVO) on their PC using HD video and multicast to make his presentation. Pretty nice software...

Another interesting comment was during the ARIN update. Only 32 /8's available to be allocated world wide. The current allocation rate is between 12 & 14 /8's per year. So, whether you like it or not, IPv6 will probably be coming to your neighborhood soon.

Tuesday Afternoon - I thought about walking this morning but decided that it was too cold. It was below freezing at 7:00 am. I probably will walk back since I really need the exercise.