Project Leader: Passakon Prathombutr
Recipient Institution: National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), Thailand
Amount: USD 9,000
Duration: 12 Months
Commencement Date: 2006

Project Abstract

IP address shortage is a real problem facing all Internet users in developing countries like Thailand. Thai users could hardly obtain public IPv4 addresses whether in their organizations or at home. Private NAT address has become prevalent. IPv6, with its 128-bit addresses, is expected to alleviate this address shortage. Connections to global IPv6 Internet are possible using tunnels over the existing IPv4 infrastructure. However, those tunnels require public IPv4 addresses at end points, and are difficult to configure and maintain. Such process may be achievable by ISPs and large organizations, but it is too
complex for end users whose only connection to Internet is via IPv4.

This project proposes to develop a semi-automatic IPv6 tunnel configuration system with a goal to connect isolated end users to IPv6 networks in a simple, convenient manner. Such system, usually called “IPv6 tunnel broker”, shall automatically allocate and configure public IPv6 addresses to end users’ computers regardless of whether a user has a public or private IPv4 address. In addition, the proposed IPv6 tunnel broker system shall provide secure authentication process and support a variety of client’s platforms.

The proposed system will be developed based on open source software, such as MySQL for database and RADIUS for AAA server. Expected outcome of this system is that by simplifying the process of connecting to IPv6 Internet, more users will begin to connect to IPv6 networks. This should in turn speed up the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 by ISPs and other organizations. The proposed system will benefit not only Internet users in Thailand, but also users in other developing countries as well.