Some new IPv6 tools to explore

My company (https://hexabuild.io) has been investing in building out IPv6 tool and I wanted to take a moment and cover some of them. The goal is to have a series of free (you need to set up a login, but that is it) and paid for tools that are IPv6 specific that help you learn, plan, design, and architect IPv6 networks. So here is the current list of tools, you can check them out yourself on the website.

Free tier:

• IPv6 Compatibility Checker (technically a different website, we launched it before the new company website design change)
• Network Assessment
• Deployment Analytics
• IETF RFC IPv6 Reference Guide
• IPv6 Packet Builder
• NDP State Machine Simulator
• IPv6 BGP Viewer

In the paid for tier (which is in beta and we are not currently charging for it but you do need to request access) there is:

• IPv6 Address Planner
• IPv6 Feature Gap Analyzer
• IPv6 Adoption Planner
• Training Hub

We would love feedback on the tools, if they are useful, and if there are other tools you think might be useful that are not already available in the community. 

- Ed

New job, new podcast, new focus...

It has been an interesting year for me and I'm excited to say I have decided to strike out on my own with some good friends and colleagues to start HexaBuild. We are focusing on advancing cloud, IoT and security with IPv6. The transition for IPv6 is well on it's way for service providers, residential providers, content and media distribution networks, and mobile operators. So, today in the US you can be using services that are all IPv6 enabled everywhere except at your office. Because enterprises have lagged so far behind in addressing the IPv6 adoption story they are now handicapped in participating in the whole Internet. HexaBuild is all about addressing those needs. We do that through training, consulting, education and enablement. Because we are consulting company, we are happy to work with resellers, distributors, manufactures and Fortune 1000 companies to help them get their IPv6 adoption strategy going.

Second bit of news is I am now co-hosting a regular podcast called The IPv6 Buzz on the PacketPushers. If you are interested in being a guest please reach out. It is just something fun to do and we have some fantastic IPv6 guests lined up. Use your favorite podcasting app and grab it, we are currently in the Community Channel w/ PacketPushers but they will be moving us out on our own shortly!

Finally, focus. After spending two years running an engineering team and worrying about the company, sales, team and careers of everyone else I get to focus on what I love again. I really enjoy talking tech with colleagues and friends, I have fun working and building stuff with IPv6 and finally I get to do a bit of travel. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome working with the engineering team at Groupware but it was time for a change and I get to see how my change in focus will work out. Oh, yes, I get to read more too! I will update that book list here shortly.
- Ed