I would like to throw this out there, though - what sense does it make
to use a 6-to-4 tunnel for this? If v4 goes under, doesn't the
tunnel also no longer work? What's the point of that? When v4 dies,
my ISP would (hopefully!) offer v6 and I'd be in the club. My
thoughts are that if it isn't available to me natively, what *actual*
use would a tunnel kludge provide to me?
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Dan Clough <=-
I would like to throw this out there, though - what sense does it make
to use a 6-to-4 tunnel for this? If v4 goes under, doesn't the
tunnel also no longer work? What's the point of that? When v4 dies,
my ISP would (hopefully!) offer v6 and I'd be in the club. My
thoughts are that if it isn't available to me natively, what *actual*
use would a tunnel kludge provide to me?
A valid point. For a tunnel to function you do indeed need a working
IPv4 connection. So what is the use of the tunnel anyway?
1) You still have fully flegded IPv4 from your provider but not
everywone else in the world is that lucky. The number of people that
have to make do with a so called CGNAT IPv4 address is rising. CGNAT is
a technology used by providers to have many customers share a single public IPV4 address. It is similar to NAT on your own LAN where a
single IPv4 adress is used by many devices on your LAN. With the difference that there is no port forwarding available for the customer. Those who's provider uses this technology to deal with the shortage of iPv4 adresses can only run servers that are accessable via IPv6. To connect to those servers you need IPv6 and if your provider does not support native IPv6, you can make use of a tunnel. This has not yet
have a great effect on Fidonet, but the number of sysops confronted
with CGANAT is rising.
2) You can use a tunnel to experiment with IPv6 and prepare for the day in the near or not so near future that installing IPv6 will be unavoidable.
3) To put pressure on your ISP. If the provider sees that his costomers are using tunnels to connect via IPv6 with the rest of the world they
may wake up. In any case it is a counter argument to what providers dragging their feet often use: there is no demand for IPv6 from our customeres.
4) And last but not least; what happened to that pioneer spirit that
made Fidonet sysops try out and help further develop new technologies?
Hope this helps.
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/ip-version-6.html
Get your money's worth! :)
Yes, that page would seem to indicate that they *DO* offer IPv6. I
don't see any options/choices for that in the IPFire software
(router)... and checking their documentation it doesn't seem to be mentioned. Hmmm... Now I'm actually interested in figuring this out.
Anybody know offhand if IPFire supports IPv6, and how to enable it?
I've been using that for years, and am happy with it, and have a lot of filter rules and so on defined, so somewhat reluctant to switch to
something else.
Having said that, any recommendations for alternatives? I know
'PFsense' is supposed to be good. I also know about things like
OpenWRT, but I believe that runs on an actual commercial router
appliance, which might be an option but I'd prefer to run on a small PC. Thoughts and opinions welcome... :-)
I'm not using a Cox-provided modem or router. I have an ARRIS
Surfboard SB6190 modem that I own,
and a small PC running IPFire software for my router.
Having said that, any recommendations for alternatives? I know
'PFsense' is supposed to be good.
I also know about things like OpenWRT, but I believe that runs on an actual commercial router appliance,
The ARRIS SB6190 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem ad IPv6 is part of the DOCSIS
3.0 specs. So it should *1) support IPv6.
*1) DISCLAIMER. It is my understanding that when using a privately
owned cable modem in the US, the firmware for the modem comes from the provider not from the manufacture, so there may be some snakes in the grass. Correct me if I am wrong.
4) And last but not least; what happened to that pioneer spirit
that made Fidonet sysops try out and help further develop new
technologies?
I'm really not sure that exists much any more. I do understand what
you mean, and experienced it myself back in FidoNet in the 1990's.
Okay, so I can see that (running a server in an area only served by
CGNAT) as being a valid reason to want/need IPv6. I guess I didn't
know that kind of thing was already happening. Certainly haven't seen
or heard of it being a thing where I am.
Nick Boel wrote to Dan Clough <=-
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/ip-version-6.html
Get your money's worth! :)
Yes, that page would seem to indicate that they *DO* offer IPv6. I
don't see any options/choices for that in the IPFire software
(router)... and checking their documentation it doesn't seem to be mentioned. Hmmm... Now I'm actually interested in figuring this out.
Do it!
Anybody know offhand if IPFire supports IPv6, and how to enable it?
I've been using that for years, and am happy with it, and have a lot of filter rules and so on defined, so somewhat reluctant to switch to
something else.
Since you say you've been using it for years, have you been updating it over that time?
Having said that, any recommendations for alternatives? I know
'PFsense' is supposed to be good. I also know about things like
OpenWRT, but I believe that runs on an actual commercial router
appliance, which might be an option but I'd prefer to run on a small PC. Thoughts and opinions welcome... :-)
I imagine they would support it, and if they don't (being an open
source project) I would be extremely surprised. They seem to have been posting blogs about they themselves using it since 2013 or even
earlier:
https://www.ipfire.org/blog/infrastructure-2-ipv6-pushing-the-button
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Dan Clough <=-
I'm not using a Cox-provided modem or router. I have an ARRIS
Surfboard SB6190 modem that I own,
The ARRIS SB6190 is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem ad IPv6 is part of the DOCSIS
3.0 specs. So it should *1) support IPv6.
and a small PC running IPFire software for my router.
I am not familiar with IPFire but as someone else poited out that also should support it. You may have to upgrade to a more recent version.
I see that your mailer is BinkIT running under Linux. Linux has
sopported IPv6 for decades and BinkIT also supports IPv6. So you
probably will not have to buy new equipment or make major software changes to join the Fidonet IPv6 club.
Having said that, any recommendations for alternatives? I know
'PFsense' is supposed to be good.
PFsense supports IPv6.
I also know about things like OpenWRT, but I believe that runs on an actual commercial router appliance,
OpenWRT supports IPv6. I have been running it for a couple of years on
a Linksys WRTsomething with a he.net tunnel.
*1) DISCLAIMER. It is my understanding that when using a privately
owned cable modem in the US, the firmware for the modem comes from the provider not from the manufacture, so there may be some snakes in the grass. Correct me if I am wrong.
Yes, it is always kept up to date.
I imagine they would support it, and if they don't (being an open
source project) I would be extremely surprised. They seem to have
been posting blogs about they themselves using it since 2013 or even earlier:
https://www.ipfire.org/blog/infrastructure-2-ipv6-pushing-the-button
I think that link says they are using v6 to allow access to *their*
*site*, not that it's functioning in their firewall product.
I have done further research and confirmed that it is NOT currently available in the firewall. That does seem strange, but it's backed
up by the fact that I see no sign of any v6 options/choices in the configuration of the firewall. :-(
I'm gonna learn some more about all this, and am currently prettyNo worries, at least the interest in looking into it is (kinda) there, now!
loaded up with real life/work stuff, so it may wait until after the
holidays. Thanks for your input/help!
I am not familiar with IPFire but as someone else poited out
that also should support it. You may have to upgrade to a more
recent version.
It is well updated and I've now confirmed that it does NOT support
IPv6. Seems strange from an open-source project, but.... is true.
:-\
PFsense supports IPv6.
Yes, but I'm not keen on having to learn and deal with FreeBSD.
Probably won't go that route.
I also know about things like OpenWRT, but I believe that runs on
an actual commercial router appliance,
OpenWRT supports IPv6. I have been running it for a couple of
years on a Linksys WRTsomething with a he.net tunnel.
Yes, and I have an (OLD) WRT54G around, but it's likely too old/slow
to meet the need.
I want to run whatever firewall I'm going to use on a mini-PC as I currently am. The reason for that is that the cable modem, router,
and main switch are located in a corner room of my house (the
"man-cave"). I do not need WiFi in this room as it has plenty of
wired outlets. I have two Access Points in other parts of the house (attached to the router via POE ethernet cables). So I don't want to buy/use an expensive "Wifi Router" (the kind with 6-8 antennae on it), just to disable the wifi functions because I don't need/want them in
the "computer room". Not sure if all that makes sense, but the bottom line is that I want to continue using the mini-PC with a dedicated
"router distro" on it. Will be checking to see if OpenWRT runs on a
PC or needs a commercial "router appliance".
*1) DISCLAIMER. It is my understanding that when using a
privately owned cable modem in the US, the firmware for the
modem comes from the provider not from the manufacture, so there
may be some snakes in the grass. Correct me if I am wrong.
I'm not sure about that either. If so, it would seem that they (Cox
Cable ISP) could enable my IPv6 abilities from their end if it's
currently turned off. I'll be asking them about that eventually.
We'll see how this all plays out... :-)
Nick Boel wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Odd that they boast that they're using it for all of their services,
but don't include it in their product. It seems IPFire 3 "is a major rewrite of IPFire 2" and "is at a very early stage of development and there is no definite release date, yet." Which also includes
"Full-Stack IPv6 Support". That's a bummer, and kinda wayu behind the times seeing as though most other routers (including store bought)
already fully support it.
I'm gonna learn some more about all this, and am currently pretty
loaded up with real life/work stuff, so it may wait until after the holidays. Thanks for your input/help!
No worries, at least the interest in looking into it is (kinda) there, now!
First step would be to see if it is even there from the ISP, with the possibility of IPFire blocking it from reaching the rest of your
network.
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Dan Clough <=-
I want to run whatever firewall I'm going to use on a mini-PC as I currently am. The reason for that is that the cable modem, router,
and main switch are located in a corner room of my house (the
"man-cave"). I do not need WiFi in this room as it has plenty of
wired outlets. I have two Access Points in other parts of the house (attached to the router via POE ethernet cables). So I don't want to buy/use an expensive "Wifi Router" (the kind with 6-8 antennae on it), just to disable the wifi functions because I don't need/want them in
the "computer room". Not sure if all that makes sense, but the bottom line is that I want to continue using the mini-PC with a dedicated
"router distro" on it. Will be checking to see if OpenWRT runs on a
PC or needs a commercial "router appliance".
Maybe you should reconsider. Low cost routers with just the basics are available these days. For the connection to my fiber glass provider I
use a small low cost router from Mikrotik. No Wifi, no nonsense. Cheap and simple, but powerfull nonetheless. And of course full IPv6 support. IIRC I paid EUR 60 for it. It does not take much energy either. 10
Watts or zo. And no noise. IMNSHO much preferable over a small PC
serving as a router.
We'll see how this all plays out... :-)
We stay tuned...
Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Maybe you should reconsider. Low cost routers with just the
basics are available these days. For the connection to my fiber
glass provider I use a small low cost router from Mikrotik. No
Wifi, no nonsense. Cheap and simple, but powerfull nonetheless.
And of course full IPv6 support. IIRC I paid EUR 60 for it. It
does not take much energy either. 10 Watts or zo. And no noise.
IMNSHO much preferable over a small PC serving as a router.
That's a possibility, for sure. I have heard good things about
Mikrotik.
They have good stuff for a good price. Drawback is the steep learning curve of RouterOS. Especially for those not familiar with Linux.
Yep, that's next. I'm pretty confident it is not available in IPFire.
There may be a good chance that I switch to OpenWRT...
Thanks again, and I'll re-visit all this eventually. :-)
Maybe you should reconsider. Low cost routers with just the
basics are available these days. For the connection to my fiber
glass provider I use a small low cost router from Mikrotik. No
Wifi, no nonsense. Cheap and simple, but powerfull nonetheless.
And of course full IPv6 support. IIRC I paid EUR 60 for it. It
does not take much energy either. 10 Watts or zo. And no noise.
IMNSHO much preferable over a small PC serving as a router.
That's a possibility, for sure. I have heard good things about
Mikrotik.
Nick Boel wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Yep, that's next. I'm pretty confident it is not available in IPFire.
There may be a good chance that I switch to OpenWRT...
I would have to agree there, too. I tried to dig up any info I could on IPFire's website, and couldn't find anything besides that they're
working on (or have been for awhile) a new version that would include
IPv6 support. However, if it's taken this long.. who knows when it'll
be released to the public.
Thanks again, and I'll re-visit all this eventually. :-)
When you do re-visit, keep in mind what AI just told me (I also
confirmed it at openwrt.org, because !@#$ AI):
"Yes, OpenWrt can run on a PC, and it is designed for this purpose, especially for the x86 architecture. You can install it on a hard drive
or run it from a USB drive or virtual machine, making it possible to
turn a PC into a powerful router or firewall."
Who knows, you may actually have fun with all this. ;)
deon wrote to Dan Clough <=-
That's a possibility, for sure. I have heard good things about Mikrotik.
I've been studying the various models they offer, and I think the
"Hex S" may be the one. Likely going to get it, soon, thanks for the pointer.
I'm a fan of the Mikrotik stuff, to the point that anybody who asks for
a router or a reliable device I recommend them.
I've used the Hex S - infact still have it here and its now in its box
- I needed something with more ports and wifi so went with an RB4011.
My sister lives ruraly with a portable work office, her husband's man cave, and her step fathers granny flat. They were using many other,
even named brand, wifi/ethernet devices and having constant problems
with internet failing - even when they installed ethernet cabling. (Probably a 100m all up.)
So I installed a few hap ax2 - at various drops on the ethernet run,
and it hasnt missed a beat since I installed it 2 years ago. Single
wifi for their devices as they roam around the proeprty and ethernet
for the backbone. I manage it all remotely.
| Sysop: | Coz |
|---|---|
| Location: | Anoka, MN |
| Users: | 2 |
| Nodes: | 4 (0 / 4) |
| Uptime: | 116:16:28 |
| Calls: | 361 |
| Files: | 6,349 |
| Messages: | 234,039 |