IPv6 R&D Activities in WIDE Project
Hiroshi Esaki
The University of Tokyo,
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku,
Tokyo, 113-8656, Japanhiroshi@wide.ad.jp,

Akira KatoJun Murai
The University of Tokyo,
Keio University
2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi,
Tokyo, 113-8658, Japan
Kanagawa, 252-8520, Japankato@wide.ad.jp,
junsec@wide.ad.jp

Abstract
The WIDE project, www.wide.ad.jp, is a research
consortium among industry and academia. WIDE projectis consist of more than four hundred active researchers
from more than hundred private companies and from morethan forty universities. The WIDE project operates thenation-wide R&D testbed, which is connected with manyother R&D testbeds, and the NSPIXPs, that are the largest
IXes in Japan. The main focus of WIDE project has been
IPv6 technology and has established IPv6 testbed since1998. Basically, all of R&D activities in WIDE project arebased on the IPv6. This paper describes the overview ofWIDE project’s IPv6 R&D activities, such as KAME /USAGI / TAHI / Nautikus6 projects.

1. Introduction
The Internet technology provides the global andubiquitous digital communication platform using thevarious types of datalinks. At the first stage, the Internet
had been established and operated for the researchers andscientists using the computer technology. Through thedeployment of Internet technology to the industrial
activities and people's daily life, the Internet technology
has mutated to a common and essential infrastructure andplatform for all of people, including peoples who would
not be familiar with the computer technology. The digital
infrastructure assumes the IP technology as the core andcommon platform, which flexibly adopts various needs
required by the various digital media and applications. Toachieve goal, the Internet must continue the mutation andrevolution through the invention and the introduction of
new technologies. In order to develop the “reality” of these
new technologies, we need the following four steps.
1. Standardization
2. Referenced implementations
3. Interoperability and conformance of products
4. Professional operation on the live network
It is very important to build and operate a practical live
testbed, which accommodates the traffic generated byvarious users (i.e., such as researchers, engineers andordinary users). On this testbed, the researchers andengineers can evaluate and validate the new technologies
invented and developed by themselves. Through thispractical operation, the technical issues will be newly
realized and recognized, so as to work on the new researchand development items. This is a positive spiral among thetestbed and R&D.
Since 1998, the WIDE project has established the fullscale nation-wide IPv6 testbed, cooperating with the global
R&D networks, in order to accelerate and integrate theR&D activities on the IPv6 technology. On the WIDE IPv6network, the operating system, middleware andapplications developed by the researchers in the WIDE
project with the industries has been evaluated and has been
widely used by various research projects and industry in
the global internet community. This paper describes theupdated overview of the WIDE IPv6 projects from [1].

2. WIDE IPv6 Project

2.1 Structure of WIDE IPv6 tested
The WIDE IPv6 testbed must be a part of global IPv6network. The testbed has been interconnected with various
other R&D network, e.g., APAN, APII, AI3, Abilene,
GLIF/IEEAF. Domestically, the WIDE IPv6 testbed as
been tightly collaborate with the ITRC (InternetTechnology Research Consortium) and the CKP (CyberKansai Project). The WIDE IPv6 testbed has been overlaid
on the following platforms.
- JGN II (Japan Gigabit Network, www.jgn.nict.go.jp)- APII testbed (www.apii.net/)- APAN/TransPac (www.apan.net/)- AI3 testbed (www.ai3.net/)- GLIF/IEEAF (www.glif.is/)

2.2 R&D activities on the Platform Technology
2.2.1 IPv6 Core Technology(1) IPv6 Protocol Stack
WIDE project has been progressed IPv6 R&D activities
since middle of 1990's. Especially, the following threecore project has been established.
- KAME project (www.kame.net) for BSD Unix
- USAGI project (www.linux-ipv6.org/) for Linux- TAHI project (www.tahi.org/) for evaluation andtest suit against IPv6 products
TAHI project has hosted many interoperability test
events, and has been cooperated with PLUG group ofETSI and Connectathon. Since the beginning of 2003,
the extended TAHI team, which is the Certification WG
of IPv6 Promotion Council (www.v6pc.jp), has been
participated in the IPv6 Ready Logo Program run by
IPv6 Forum (www.ipv6forum.com), and has played an
important role for this program, collaborating withUNH-IOL (www.iol.unh.edu) and IRISA (www.irisa.fr).
(2) DNS System
DNS system is a global scale distributed directory
service between IP address and FQDN (Fully QualifiedDomain Name). As for DNS system, we have following
two projects. One is the design and operation of thirteen
root DNS servers, collaborating with USC-ISI(www.isi.edu) and ISC ((Internet Software Consortium,www.isc.org). Here, WIDE project has the responsibilityon the operation of M route server. The other project isthe development of "bind" for IPv6 with ISC.

2.2.2 DVTS (http://www.sfc.wide.ad.jp/dvts/)
Digital Video (DV) is a high quality video image
compression format for TV quality. DV uses an intra-frame
compression for video signal, and uses an 12bit or 16 bits
PCM for sound signal. From this point of view, the DV
signal would be tolerant for packet losses regarding thevideo image transmission, comparing with the video
transmission using the other compression mechanism (e.g.,MPEG2). We have developed the DVTS (Digital VideoTransmission System), that encapsulates the DV signal via
IEEE1394 interface into the IP packets to transmit over theInternet[2]. DVTS runs with RTP (Real-time Transmission
Protocol) both over IPv4 and IPv6 protocol stack. DVTS
consumes about 35Mbps bandwidth. However, when theavailable bandwidth between source and destination nodes
are not enough large, the video frame can be periodicallydiscarded at the sender node to reduce the required
bandwidth for DV transmission. DVTS runs over various
platforms, e.g., BSD-UNIX and Linux with X-window
system, Windows with direct-X and Macintosh.
Since the beginning of 2004, WIDE project has
collaborating with Internet2 community to develop anddeploy the DVTS system over Internet2 network.
2.2.3 Large Scale Multicast using PIM
The first large scale PIM-SM operation on WIDEproject testbed was on November 27 in 1999. The technicalconference held at Kurashiki University of Science andArts had struggled to be multicasted toward more than tensites in nation-wide Japan, using the DV (Digital Video)
stream. We have realized a lot of technical issues. In
March of 2002, the interactive multicast remote conference
among USA and Japan, collaborating by Internet2/Abeline,
FLA (Fujitsu Lab. America) in Maryland, NTT
Communication MCL in Palo Alto and WIDE project. In
January of 2005, we have operated large scale DV

multicasting using PIM-SSM (Source Specific Multicast),over nation-wide JGN2 network.
Fig. 1 PIM-SSM Operation over JGN2
2.2.4 Mobile Technology
We have initiated the network mobility, called as NEMO
(NEtwork MObility) work at the IETF, collaborating withINRIA, in 2003. The architecture is an extension andmodification of mobile IP. We have established nautilus6
project (www.nautilus6.org) and SHISA project(www.mobileip.jp). One of the major applications using
these research activities would be the InternetCAR project,described below.
Based on the discussion in WIDE project, we haverealized that these mobile technologies are not only
available for mobile nodes or mobile networks, but are alsoavailable for wired networks [3]. Mobile networks could
be a superset of fixed networks. Mobile technologies canprovide the following functions, which are required for
wired network, as well.
1. Multi-homing ; Connecting the network via multiple
links. Multiple links could be used for achieving
higher robustness, load balancing or policy routing.
2. Plug-and-play; When the network changes physical or
logical location, the network prefix of the network isgenerally changed. By applying the NEMO
technology to a campus network, the campus network
isnotrequiredrenumbering
norsystem
reconfiguration, when it changes the upstream ISP.
2.2.5 UDLR (Uni-Directional Link Routing) [4]The routing protocol running in the Internet assumes thatthe link is bi-directional and symmetric. However, when
we look at satellite link, it is uni-directional. We havediscussed the UDLR technology at the IETF collaboratingwith INRIA, since 1997. Also, we have established thesatellite internet testbed using the UDLR technology. The
testbed is called as AI3(www.ai3.net/), that is collaborating
withNiCT/CRL(www.nict.go.jp)
andJSAT(www.iijnet.or.jp/JSAT/). The AI3 network has covered
the Asian countries as shown in Fig.2. The new research
item on UDLR system is IPv6 multicasting, and dynamic
bandwidth allocation with production quality operation.

Fig.2 AI3 Service Footprint

2.3 Applications of IPv6 Technologies
After the application of IPv6 technology to legacy
networks, such as ISP or R&D networks, we are exploring
new application area. These area are focusing on reducing
system and operational cost and on improving operational
efficiency. We realize that, when we have a lot of sensors
or controllers internetworked by IP, the digital information

will be able to contribute to the reduction of system cost
and to the improvement of human activities and systems.

automation components with IPv6 transport, using theBACnet[5] and LonWorks[6], in 2004.

2.3.1 InternetCAR (www.sfc.wide.ad.jp/InternetCAR/)
InternetCAR Project is connecting the automobiles,
which has the autonomous internet node function, to theinternet. Nodes in the automobile can be accessed from theInternet and can access the Internet. We have operated
several testbed using real automobiles (e.g., taxi or bus), inlarge metropolitans, such as Yokohama or Nagoya. Someapplications, such as a remote sensing using the speed
mater and wiper’s position, has been operated andevaluated. The testbed system adopts the mobiletechnologies, such as Mobile IPv6, NEMO (Network inMotion), dynamic tunneling or vertical hand-over. Figure 3
shows the overview of the demonstration system using thevertical hand-over with NEMO in Nagoya City in 2004.

(2) Live E! Project (www.live-e.org)
Live E! Project is a consortium founded by WIDE
project and IPv6 Promotion Council. This project isaiming to establish the platform to share all the digital
information, generated by any digital devices. These
digital devices are installed and operated by individualand by organizations. The information should be relatedwith the live environmental information of the Earth. By
sharing this digital information, we will be able to create
new applications, which can contribute to safety andeffective space(environment. Some applications, such as
basic information for the protection of environment (e.g.,a heat-island phenomena in metropolitan), educational
material, public service, public safety or businessapplications, could use the common digital information
for different purposes. The related original work would
be back in 2001, when the WIDE project with
Yokogawa Electric Corp.(www.yokogawa.com) had
developed a temperature node with IPv6 protocol stack,called i-node(www.i-node.co.jp).

Fig.3 NEMO demonstration in Nagoya City in 2004.
2.3.2 SOI (School of Internet) Project
The virtual university, SOI, has been established on theInternet since 1997. The students of SOI has participated inthrough various network platform. The SOI testbed has
been across the Asian Pacific countries. SOI operated twostudios in USA, i.e., FLA (Fujitsu Lab. America) inMaryland and NTT Communications MCL in Palo Alto,and is covering the Asian Pacific countries via satellite linkcollaborating with AI3 project. This SOI project
collaborating Asian-Pacific area is called as SOI-AP (SOI Asian Pacific) Project.
2.3.3 Facility Networking
Facility networking includes factory automation,building automation or home automation, which is theintegration of different type of networks, such as sensor
network, control network or security network. The facility
networking would be toward the integration of real-spaceand cyber-space using common IP technology.
(1) Building Automation
We are working with the industry so that the IPv6 isapplied to the basic protocol to be shared by various
systems in building automation. Since they have used
proprietary technologies for each company and for eachsub-systems, they are interested in the IP-Centric system,to achieve highly effective system operation. We had theworld first interoperability testing among building

Fig.4 Installation of weather stations across Japan
2.3.4 IPv6 Transition Trials
WIDE Project has been worked with Internet Association
Japan (IAJapan, www.iajapan.org), IPv6 Promotion
Council and NiCT/MIC for recent three years on IPv6transition trials. The trial aims the professional IPv6transition from the existing operation networks, which
includes SOHO, corporate campus network, local
government networks and home network.
2.3.5 IPv6 Fix (http://v6fix.net/)
Because of small and minor technical problems or
mis-configurations, many system operators may want toturn off IPv6 function, for conservative operation of theirnetworks. We recognized some inappropriate technicaldescription and specification in some RFCs, someinappropriate implementations, or some misunderstandings.
The purpose of IPv6 Fix project is to fix this situation andto share the operational knowledge on IPv6 operation.
2.3.6 Security model for IPv6 Systemsecure6 working group identifies the security problems
and challenges on IPv6 network. With IPv6, it would be agood opportunity to re-consider the best/better security
architecture for the network accommodating huge numberof computers and of non-computer appliances without
NAT technology. The working group researches new
protocols and proposes it as a standard, releases a reference
implementation to deliver new security model (postfirewall model) which is well adapted for IPv6 network.

3. WIDE Project Network Configuration
The WIDE backbone network consists of various speedof links from 2Mbps CBR ATM upto 10Gbps Ethernet.
Some of these links are provided by JGN2, that is an
VLAN/Ethernet based nation-wide R&D network run byNiCT. Most of the network is IPv4/IPv6 dual stack
operation. WIDE backbone is multi-vendor network
including such as Cisco, Foundry, Juniper, and Hitachi.
PCs running NetBSD with Zebra routing daemon are also
used mainly for IPv6 routing especially for IPv6 multicast.
Figures 5 and 6 shows the network topology of WIDEbackbone.

NSPIXP-2) in Tokyo and the NSPIXP-3 in Osaka
respectively. Though it is not shown in the figxxx, WIDEbackbone also has run and has been connected to theNSPIXP-6, which is a purely experimental but is one of thelargest pure IPv6 IX accommodating about 50 ISPes inJapan or from oversea.
WIDE project has established the T-LEX, called as
Tokyo Lambda Exchange point. T-LEX is yet another
L1/L2/L3 academic exchange point, that is especially
focusing on the global lambda networking research.

Fig.6 IPv6 network topology of WIDE backbone

4. Conclusion
WIDE project is a research forum among industry andacademia regarding the internet technology, covering wide
variety of research area. Almost all of R&D activities
assume the IPv6 technology as a common platform as layer
3 protocol. The R&D are on platform technologies,
middleware technologies, applications and operationaltechnologies. WIDE project operates the R&D testbed,
which uses state-of-art technologies, in order to evaluate
the new technologies and to realize the further R&D items
through the practical operation.

Acknowledgement
WIDE internet operates collaboration with andcontribution from various organizations, such as NiCTJGN2 and APII testbed, AI3, PoweredCom/TTnet, NTT
Group, GAL, Cisco Systems or Hitachi/AlaxalaNetworks.

References
Fig.5 Geographical view of WIDE Backbone
WIDE backbone has various external connectivities. For
example, WIDE internet is participating to APAN and isconnecting with an GbE interface. As for our native link toUnited States, we had an OC-3 extention from Los Angeles
to San Jose, in order to have an access to PAIX with Fast
Ethernet.
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Format for DV(IEC 61834) Vieeo”, IETF RFC3189, Jan.2002.
[3] H.Esaki, “Multi-Homing and Multi-Path Architecture Using
Mobile IP and NEMO Framework”, Panel 1 (The Future of theInternet Architecture) at IEEE/IPSJ SAINT2004, Tokyo, Japan,
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[4] Home Page of UDLR, http://www.udcast.com/udlr/[5] Home Page of BACnet, http://www.bacnet.org/[6] Home Page of Lon Mark, http://www.lonmark.org/