Subj : IPv6's
To   : Jeff Smith
From : Michiel van der Vlist
Date : Thu May 09 2019 10:30:37

Hello Jeff,

On Wednesday May 08 2019 08:07, you wrote to me:

Your script seems to be working. I can connect now:

  09:38 [1760] clientmgr started
+ 09:38 [2984] call to 1:282/1031@fidonet
  09:38 [2984] trying f1031.n282.z1.binkp.net [2602:41:670c:a600:d597:9bc0:8b9f:2c92]...
  09:38 [2984] connected
+ 09:38 [2984] outgoing session with f1031.n282.z1.binkp.net:24554
               [2602:41:670c:a600:d597:9bc0:8b9f:2c92]
- 09:38 [2984] SYS The Ouija Board
- 09:38 [2984] ZYZ Jeff Smith
- 09:38 [2984] LOC Anoka, MN - bbs.ouijabrd.net
- 09:38 [2984] VER BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-4 binkp/1.0
- 09:38 [2984] NDL CM,IBM,IFT,INA
+ 09:38 [2984] addr: 1:282/1031@fidonet

 >> Odd. An ISP should know what address (blocks) they issue...

 JS> Yes. The support staff seemed to know what a v6 IP was but didn't
 JS> appear to know much about them. I would get the "Sorry, I don't have
 JS> that information available". And they would then transfer me to
 JS> someone who would end up giving me the same response.

That does not give much confidence that they have people with the required knowledge... :(

 JS> Here in Linux for a manual/static v4 IP setup one has to provide the
 JS> v4 IP, the subnet mask, and the gateway address. Similarly for v6
 JS> manual/static IP setup on has to specify the v6 IP, the prefix, and
 JS> the v6 gateway address. All three have to be specified to be able to
 JS> save the v4 or v6 IP network settings.

But why the need for manual configuration? The IPv6 protocol was designed to NOT need such things. Not for dynamic and not for static addresses. The CPE (the router at your home) negotiates an IPv6 prefix with the ISP via prefix delegation. The router advertises the prefix on the LAN and interfaces on the LAN are assigned addresses by SLAAC or DHCP6 using that prefix. No need fo user intervention.

 JS> Here, the router is setup to accept and support a static IP block. And
 JS> will accept traffic for any of the static IP's in that block. Each PC
 JS> is assigned a static IP and accepts traffic for that particular static
 JS> IP. The router doesn't assign an IP to the PC unless DHCP is in use.
 JS> Here DHCP is in use but only for assigning local non-routeable IP's.

It seems to me that your ISP runs some stripped version of IPv6... :(

 >> It is only when running servers that I have to intervene. I have to
 >> punch a hole in the firewall for the ports concerned and I have to
 >> update the DNS..

 JS> Yes similarly here I have to make the necessary ports available.

But only for running servers. Configuring clients should be automatic without the need for user intervention.

 >> Can you change ISPs in you area?

 JS> Sadly, that isn't an option as Centurylink (Qwest) is the only fiber
 JS> based ISP in the area and the only other options are cable or
 JS> satellite. Neither of which (Last time I checked) provided static
 JS> IP's.

So you are stuck wih them. :(


Cheers, Michiel

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