 Significance of JGNv6network
I myself expect to spread IPv6 and no matter how you look at it, diffusion of IPv6 is national policy. Yet comparing it against the existing IPv4, IPv6 device lacks its level of security and maturity. In fact, some IPv6 devices on the market appeared to have only beta test for percentage completion. If these immature IPv6 devices were used in actual enormous internet traffic zone between Tokyo and Osaka, it will be impractical. Therefore, like JGN, examination of IPv6 that is close to actual network testbed is required.
Please tell us the role difference between TAO Tokyo Research and Operation Center ( hereinafter referred to as 'Otemachi Operation Technology Center') and Okayama IPv6 System Interoperability and Evaluation Laboratory ( hereinafter referred to as 'Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab.').
JGNv6network is comprised of autonomic distributed operation of each spots. Otemachi Operation Technology Center deals with various operations such as traffic measurement of JGNv6 network.
On the other hand, prior to the actual operation of JGNv6, Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. mainly verify's percentage completion of the new OS version or examines connectivity of router machines.
Aa a real problem, vendors that conduct development of IPv6 in their own department usually complete its examination at research laboratory located in their company. However, mutual connectivity of various manufacturing corporations and devices are not fully examined in these facilities. This aspect can be applied to either domestic and overseas vendors. For that reason, inquiry to Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab . has been increasing currently. Also stability of JGNv6network has increased and we are to discuss topology reexamination, too.
Mission of Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. is to examine mutual connectivity, isn't it?
At Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab., JGNv6network itself has been operated in multi vendor environment and on-site mutual connectivity can be examined, too. Both of them are important. A number of well-informed people also stress the importance of the organization that can examine the mutual connectivity. Since evaluation methodology itself can be competitive, it is to fine have several research centers that have similar functions, I think.
In the US, verification evaluation of IPv6 device is becoming business. I hear a case that a sticker which identify's the mutual connectivity issued after verification evaluation is the target of purchase and sale. Since test site that enables to examine mutual connectivity of IPv6 device is till precious few, the size of Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. is the world-class environment.
In the US, introduction of IPv6 device to testbed is being proceeded. Since only specialized vendor rooter machines were adopted for specialized network, JGNv6's multi vendor environment network is revered around the world.
At Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab., actual devices for end users such as small rooter machines and switches are being implemented. Therefore, it is possible to construct end-end environment in the Lab. We have examined 40 kinds or more small devices and at least 6 vendors' large scaled rooter machines. All of the 6 vendor devices are reported to have two or more bugs per head.
It is a notable contribution that you have found bugs from every single bit of vendors' devices.
I appreciate your remark. Although implementation to rooter machines of IPv6 have developed, a number of unsolved issues still remain in terms of IPv6 technology. IPv6's top priority is an ability to do everything at least what IPv4 can do.
Does it mean that Japan is more advanced regarding IPv6 ?
Regarding IPv6, Japanese vendors had advantages. However, recent overseas vendors are rushing to approach toward IPv6 and they have caught up quite a bit. JGNv6 network construction has promoted overseas vendors to approach IPv6. In order to construct JGNv6 network, investigation on various devices were undertaken to provide devices. I investigated functionality of several devices at that time and it impresses me that this investigation was feed backed to the vendors and strengthened IPv6 development structure. Actually, IPv6 implementation has been progressing faster than the initial plan that was provided by Japan-US vendors.
Some U.S. vendors that supply devices to JGNv6 network once dispatched some engineers to Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. for experiments. Regardless of Japan-U.S., promoting vendors' development meets the aim of JGNv6.
It makes sense that technological gaps between vendors that can utilize Okayama Gigabit Lab. well and that cannot make a large difference. I would like all the vendors to use the most of the Okayama Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. and if there are some difficulties, I expect them to have a word with me.
Some of the vendors indeed aware of their own products configuration but do not know about the configuration of other companies. In that case, I can offer some pieces of advice. Overall, We have kept good relationships between each vendor who supplied to JGNv6 network.
It appears that an ideal management has been carried out at Okayama IPv6 System Interoperability and Evaluation Laboratory.
With regret, we are short of hands. Right now there are only two of us- myself and a respecter Mr. Mikamo. .Fortunately, as we share the same floor of the building with people of Okayama Gigabit Laboratory, we have their support for many ways. I also call on students for help from my research laboratory at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts. Reasonably, I flatter myself that there was a good education effect on students.
Could you tell us the need for IPv6 itself?
The U.S. has been promoting to work on IPv6. In the U.S. current demand to correspond IPv6 application is not high like Japan, but U.S. vendors are paying attention to the world market. As for U.S. national policy, continuing work to IPv6 has been undertaken watching moves revolving around the world market.
I try to ask the following questions to those who are considering to purchase network equipment :"How long are you going to use it?" Won't you mind if you cannot use IPv6 after 5 years?" When an organization - nation, local governments, and university- procurance devices, my advice is "To be able to connect to IPv6 network without additional hardware" as longer use is expected.
What is the key of IPv6 diffusion?
One is an increase of dual stack rooter machines of backbone system.
As for killer application, games are good examples. It is too late for ISP to deal with IPv6 when P2P game that moves with IPv6 emerges, leading IPv6 to have explosive sales. Therefore, most ISP are the stage to shift into full swing of IPv6 already.
Regrettable point is IPv6 network is being operated independently from the existing
network. Considering from the view point of effective investment, dual stack style is desirable.
What activities would you like to focus on from now?
For the future, I would like to make a strong effort to information disclosure.
The role of Okayama IPv6 System Interoperability and Evaluation Lab. is not to claim insufficiency of certain vendor's device function. We had a policy to feedback insufficient fact to the vendors and if it still remains the same after 6months, it has been disclosed as reality.
As for the data released at Gigabit Network Symposium 2002 in Hokkaido, each device's performance was indicated by graph. This data shows any device demonstrates through performance that is guaranteed in catalog specification.
From now on, I will pay as much attention as I can in dealing disadvantageous information for vendors, yet good information should be disclosed without hesitation.
Please tell me the whole impression to JGN.
Thanks to JGN, Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts could become famous. Kurashiki Art and Science University is a small university that has about 2000 students and at most 10 students are related to network research. Under the favor of JGN, Kurashiki Art and Science University could establish its publicity for all wards in Japan in the field of internet technology industry. Since JGN allows access points to all major national and public universities and college as well as all prefectural and city governments, a small group like us has given a chance. Other regions such as Kochi, Iwate, Ehime and Saga prefectures appear to utilizing JGN very well.
As for researchers using JGN currently also have possibility of choice: use ATM base network and JGNv6 network. I appreciate the situation that users can choose network can create various possibilities.
Please comment your hope for testbed in future.
I think Testbed is indispensable to promote IT. Other countries also structure and operate testbed using huge amount of national expenditure. Hence testbed as backbone is necessary hereafter.
I am also proud of the JGNv6's auto-discentralized operation so I would like this operation system that each researcher operates equipment in each of his own place should be adopted in JGN's next testbed. If it is possible, it would be better to choose several backbones for researchers. By having several backbones, each researcher can operate characteristically. Creating competitive situation will lead the enhancement of technologies including service in many ways.
I regard more stress on the education environment as important. JGN is considered to be an innovative research network that can be utilized via application in large numbers of universities through application. As for next step, how about conceptualizing a network for high school students to use it through routine application? Also streamlined procedures for JGN application using WEB compare to the conventional paper application would be better. Furthermore,it would be better if application of utilizing access point enables free use of network path.
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