The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a next generation internet infrastructure, IPv6 Linux “KNOPPIX / IPv6” which can be booted with a single CD (compact disk), in collaboration with the Alpha Systems, CO., Ltd. (Alpha Sys.) and the WIDE Project.

The “KNOPPIX / IPv6” was produced on the basis of “KNOPPIX Japanese Edition” which had been maintained by the AIST for Linux distribution and incorporated by Alpha Sys. with the IPv6 protocol stack which had been developed by the WIDE Project.

The “KNOPPIX / IPv6” has two functions: host to build up an IPv6 system in any PC with a single CD, and rooter to link up PC network. The operation of these functions has been verified, and the International Accreditation Organization IPv6 Ready Logo Committee issued the international linkup certificate IPv6 Ready Logo for Linux distribution first in the world, as of August 29, 2004.

The international recognition of IPv6 compatible function of “KNOPPIX / IPv6”, makes it possible for users to utilize it securely, and to create products customized on the basis of “KNOPPIX / IPv6” owing to the mutual certification for other IPv6 devices. Since the “KNOPPIX / IPv6” consists of free software, it is possible to add original IPv6 compatible applications so long as the license agreement is observed.

For the spread of IPv6, that of the router is indispensable. However, the price problem deters the distribution. As the introduction of single CD “KNOPPIX / IPv6” makes PC readily usable for router function on the trial basis, the distribution of IPv6 will be promoted through the expansion of service environment.

Further efforts will be focused on the distribution of IPv6 software CD without charge at the Showroom of the IPv6 Promotion Council at 1F, Furukawa Bdg., Marunouchi, Tokyo, the exhibition at the CEATEC JAPAN 2004, October 5~9, 2004 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, and the instruction for effective use of KNOPPIX.

Kuniyasu Suzaki, a senior researcher of Information Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has been studying the possibility of open source software to assess the capability of open source programs. In the course of this effort, he has met KNOPPIX which can boot an ordinary PC with a single CD without using a hard disk, and consists of open source software including applications. Suzaki made contact with the German developer, Klaus Knopper to get agree for developing a Japanese version.

After the publication of “KNOPPIX Japanese” at the Linux Conference 2002, held September 18~20, 2002, the software was picked up owing to its user-friendliness by a number of PC magazines, with the program CD appended. Alpha Sys. was interested in the convenient nature of the KNOPPIX bootable with a single CD and proposed the AIST for collaboration to seek a business opportunity based on the maintenance support.

The Alpha Sys. has been engaged in the development of communications software, and joined the “IPv6 Promotion Council” composed of private enterprises concerned for the dissemination of IPv6. The AIST-Alpha Sys. team has been dedicated to the development of “KNOPPIX / IPv6”, making efforts in delivering “KNOPPIX Japanese” at the exhibitions, and holding a permanent exhibition at a showroom. The “KNOPPIX / IPv6” is disclosed at the Alpha Sys. website, URL: http://www.alpha.co.jp/knoppix/ipv6.

The WIDE Project has been developing “USAG1”, an IPv6 stack for Linux, leading the world, Its activity has been recognized internationally, and achievement of “USAG1” has been incorporated in the Linux Kernel from its version 2.6.

For the purpose of augmenting the reliability of “KNOPPIX / IPv6” and contributing to the expanding distribution of IPv6, the International Accreditation IPv6 Ready Logo was acquired through the tripartite collaboration.

The development of the next generation internet protocol IPv6 has been pursued by Japan leading the world, and now, it is in a stage of popularization. For ensuring the use of IPv6, however, it is essential to make operating system, applications and network compatible to IPv6. If any one of these components fails to be IPv6 compatible, the service of IPv6 becomes unavailable, deterring its popularization.

The “KNOPPIX / IPv6” has been developed as one of means to resolve such problems. By utilizing the merit of single CD operating system, the IPv6 environment can be made available by simply booting a CD-ROM without cumbersome installation or setup, allowing an unskilled beginner readily get an experience with the IPv6 world. To speak more specifically, the “USAG1” IPv6 stack is included as standard equipment for IPv6 compatible OS. Some of popular IPv6-compatible applications, such as Web browser (Mozilla, Konqueror), mail software (Sylpheed, Kmail), characterized by desktop use are included. For the network link-up, “6to4” feature is included to detect IPv4 environment automatically and to provide tunnel linkup for IPv6 environment, so that the user can use the internet without knowing whether his/her network environment is compatible to IPv6 or IPv4.

Fig. 1. Label design of “KNOPPIX / IPv6”

The International Accreditation IPv6 Ready Logo awarded to “KNOPPIX / IPv6” as the first Linux distribution in the world for the Linux distribution contributed to the enhancement of reliability. Particularly, it is worth of mentioning that the accreditation covers a broad area of utilization. The KNOPPIX can be booted selectively by using Linux kernel 2.4 or 2.6. Owing to this function, the accreditation was given to kernel 2.4/2.6 The IPv6 Ready Logo was awarded to both host and router functions after deliberate probation. In this way, the accreditation Logo has been provided supporting broader coverage of IPv6 environment involving diverse conditions of utilization.

Since the “KNOPPIX / IPv6” has both IPv6 stack and IPv6 compatible applications constructed from open source software, no license fee is requested for the software, making it possible to disclose and provide the package without charge. Moreover, the program can be modified freely, offering opportunities for creating products based on the “KNOPPIX / IPv6”.

The distribution of IPv6 depends upon the spread of the routers. The router is so expensive that its distribution has not been promoted adequately. The introduction of single CD “KNOPPIX / IPv6” makes it possible readily to use any PC as a router on a trial basis, opening the way to the promotion of IPv6 distribution through the expansion of usage environment.