Interconnection of CESNET and Google in Prague via IPv6

The CESNET association was the first to natively interconnect with Google in NIX.CZ peering centre in Prague via IPv6 protocol. This step will allow users of the CESNET2 national research and education network to access the network services provided by Google via the IPv6 protocol more effectively.

Google has been present in the peering centre of NIX.CZ in Prague since November 2008; however, the older protocol IPv4 was supported until now. Parties interested in IPv6 peering had to use alternative solutions – for example, CESNET2 was connected to the network in the AMS-IX Amsterdam peering centre until the end of January 2010. Now, users may establish equivalent peering with the use of both protocols in NIX.CZ with the Google network.

The CESNET–Google interconnection is the first applied result of the IPv6 task force established by CESNET early this year. The goals of the task force are, in particular, active promotion of the IPv6 protocol and assistance in implementation in the networks connected to CESNET2. Due to approaching exhaustion of the addresses of the existing IPv4 Internet protocol, the CESNET association regards this area as strategically very important. The task force has several events in the pipeline in order to inform the expert public about the current status of carrying Internet protocols and to support implementation of the IPv6 protocol.

The Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the successor of the existing protocol called IPv4. The latest version attempts to resolve some issues that emerged in relation to massive development of the Internet worldwide and to provide a long-term platform for its further development.

The new Internet protocol IPv6 has four underlying advantages when compared to its predecessor IPv4:

• it principally increases the number of IP addresses available, which means possible connection of almost every device used by people at work or at home to the Internet;
• it allows Plug and Play connection of devices to the network – every device configures automatically and connects to the Internet at any time if switched on;
• it significantly improves security of data being transmitted;
• it solves conceptually communication of mobile devices.

The CESNET association has been intensively dealing with the IPv6 issues since 1999 when an experimental backbone IPv6 network was commissioned. CESNET has been offering the new protocol as a routinely operated service since 2004.

The CESNET association was founded by universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The association is currently financed mainly from the resources of the governmental Research and Development Board and funds of the association members. The association performs the research and development of information and communication technologies, building and developing the national gigabit optical network, CESNET2, designed for research and educational purposes. With its research activities and accomplishments, the CESNET association represents the Czech Republic in the project of development and implementation of the GÉANT pan-European network.