Alignment with ISIF Asia funding programs*

# Alignment with ISIF Asia funding programs* > Please explain how your project is aligned with ISIF Asia and the Focus Area(s) under the program selected above. You can find the descriptions on the front page of this Grants and Awards portal under INFORMATION. Our project aligns with the APNIC Foundation's Knowledge Program by addressing the technical and operational aspects of Internet network operations, specifically focusing on IPv6 adoption in the Asia Pacific region. Our project's objectives directly correspond to the Knowledge Program's focus areas, as described below: 1. Technical research and capacity-building efforts on network operations and security: Our project aims to improve technical knowledge and develop practical solutions related to IPv6-only iterative resolvers. Through our research, we will identify root causes, propose potential solutions, and promote the adoption of IPv6-only networks. 2. Strengthening knowledge sharing across communities of practice: By presenting our project findings at conferences such as IETF, APRICOT, and DNS-OARC, we will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among various stakeholders, including Network Operator Groups (NOGs) and the broader Internet community in the Asia Pacific region. 3. Digital literacy efforts targeting non-technical audiences: Our project emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered throughout its implementation. Our communication strategy addresses this by disseminating research findings in multiple languages and engaging with different segments of the community, including non-technical audiences. 4. Diagnosis, monitoring, measurement, and/or analysis of live or historical datasets related to Internet infrastructure and its security: Our project involves analyzing live and historical data to better understand the technical challenges associated with IPv6-only iterative resolvers, contributing to the overall security and stability of Internet infrastructure in the region. As a Small Grant funding request, our project focuses on conducting pilot research and developing proof of concept ideas within a six to twelve-month timeframe. By addressing technical challenges related to IPv6 adoption, emphasizing diversity and inclusion, and fostering international engagement and collaboration, our project aligns with the Knowledge Program's objectives and contributes to strengthening Internet development in the Asia Pacific region. https://isif.asia/knowledge/ ## Project Summary ### Project Title: IPv6-Only Resolver Deployability: Promotion, Research, and Addressing DNS Resolution Challenges ### Implementation Period*: 6,9,12,18 ### Brief Summary* > Please provide a brief and clear project summary that describes the project you want to implement with ISIF Asia funding ~~This project aims to enhance IPv6-only iterative resolver deployability by researching domains that cannot be resolved by IPv6-only resolvers and promoting IPv6-only capable resolvers. The research investigates factors causing resolution limitations of IPv6-only iterative resolvers and give solutions for domain names that cannot be resolved by an IPv6-only iterative resolver. We also will be promoteing IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers utilizing NAT64. ~~ This is a project aimed at promoting IPv6 adoption by identifying and resolving technical challenges faced by IPv6-only iterative resolvers in the Asia Pacific region. Through a comprehensive research approach, the project will analyze resolver performance metrics, gather feedback from network operators, and propose solutions to improve IPv6-only network connectivity. The project team, led by a young female network engineer, will share their findings through IETF internet drafts, conference presentations, and other knowledge dissemination platforms. By fostering IPv6 adoption and improving the performance of IPv6-only iterative resolvers, this project will contribute to digital inclusion, economic growth, and the overall development of the Internet industry in the Asia Pacific region. ### Project Objective(s)* > Describe the main objective(s) of the project, including language that clearly addresses the problem you are trying to solve and diversity criteria. And the Project Objective to: The main objectives of the project are to: Investigate and analyze the reasons behind the inability of IPv6-only iterative resolvers to resolve certain domains, focusing on identifying misconfigurations and other barriers to IPv6 deployment of DNS. This research aims to increase awareness of the challenges and promote best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. Secondly the project will focus on the promotion and adoption of IPv6-only "capable" iterative resolvers. These resolvers will be designed to resolve domain names even if their authoritative name servers are IPv4-only by synthesizing the IPv4 address into a compatible IPv6 address using the Pref::/96 prefix. This approach will enable the utilization of NAT64 in IPv6-only networks. These initiative aims to improve Internet accessibility, by improving the ability of IPv6-only iterative resolvers so IPv6 only netowrk operators can have their own iterative DNS resolver. ### Funding support received Have travel grant ## Context and Motivation ### Project Background and Justification* > Please provide background information that allows the Selection Committee to understand the context in which your organization operates. What are the main challenges? What is the problem that your project is trying to solve? The exponential growth of the Internet has been largely enabled by the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4). However, the limited address space of IPv4 has necessitated the development and adoption of IPv6, which provides a significantly larger address space, ensuring the continued growth and scalability of the Internet. Despite its numerous advantages, the adoption of IPv6 has been slow, with many networks and services still reliant on IPv4 infrastructure. One of the primary challenges for IPv6 deployment is the inability of IPv6-only iterative resolvers to resolve domain names hosted on IPv4-only authoritative name servers. This limitation presents a barrier for IPv6-only network operators who require an iterative DNS resolver, hindering the transition to an IPv6-only environment. Additionally, misconfigurations and other obstacles to IPv6 deployment in DNS infrastructure have contributed to this issue, making it essential to identify and address these challenges. ### Project Motivation* Our organization is motivated to initiate this project because we recognize the importance of accelerating IPv6 adoption to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the Internet. By addressing the limitations of IPv6-only iterative resolvers and promoting IPv6-only capable resolvers, we aim to help network operators transition to an IPv6-only environment more seamlessly. The project responds to specific community needs by: 1. Investigating and analyzing the reasons behind the inability of IPv6-only iterative resolvers to resolve certain domains, focusing on identifying misconfigurations and other barriers to IPv6 deployment in DNS. This research will provide valuable insights to domain owners, network operators, and policymakers, guiding them towards best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. 2. Promoting the adoption of IPv6-only "capable" iterative resolvers, which will be designed to resolve domain names even if their authoritative name servers are IPv4-only. This innovative solution will utilize the Pref::/96 prefix to synthesize IPv4 addresses into compatible IPv6 addresses, enabling the use of NAT64 in IPv6-only networks. By submitting an informational draft to the IETF v6ops working group, we hope to garner support for this approach and facilitate its widespread adoption. We will also conduct benchmarking experiments to test if this solution is truly optimal. By addressing these specific community needs, our organization aims to contribute to the growth and success of the Internet ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region, ultimately promoting equal access to online resources and services and bridging the digital divide. ## Activities ここ説明がなくて何を書けばいいかあんまりわからない。 Activity Details Title Description When will this activity occur? Duration, in months ## Research and Development section. ### Methodology > What methodology are you planning to use to design and implement your project? To design and implement our project, we plan to use a mixed-methods research approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The methodology will involve the following steps: 1. Data collection: Gather data on domains that cannot be resolved by IPv6-only iterative resolvers. Identify potential reasons, such as lack of IPv6 connectivity, absence of AAAA records, and inability of authoritative servers to be resolved by IPv6-only iterative resolvers. 2. Data analysis: Analyze the collected data to determine the prevalence of different factors causing resolution limitations. Identify any patterns or trends in misconfigurations and other barriers to IPv6 deployment of DNS. 3. Research on the efficiency of IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers utilizing NAT64: Conduct a comparative analysis of the proposed solution's performance with other current DNS services and NAT, focusing on speed and efficiency. 4. Promotion of IPv6-only capable resolvers: Draft an informational document for submission to the IETF v6ops working group, detailing the benefits and technical specifications of IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers utilizing NAT64. 5. Dissemination of findings: Publish a research paper to share our findings with the broader Internet community. Reach out to domain owners identified as having misconfigurations or other issues, providing recommendations for improving DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. ### Detailed Technical Implementation Information* > Detailed technical information is an essential aspect of the selection process. Describe what technologies you plan to use, how you plan to integrate them, what expertise the project team has to manage the proposed solutions, what is innovative about it, and what training and support your project team will need. Describe the training needs for project beneficiaries, taking into account diversity considerations. Our project will involve the use of various technologies and methodologies to research and improve IPv6-only iterative resolvers. We will use data collection tools and analytical software to gather and analyze domain data, as well as networking tools and techniques for implementing IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers utilizing NAT64. The project team possesses expertise in IPv6, DNS, and network operations, which is essential for managing the proposed solutions. Our team will also stay up to date with the latest advancements in IPv6, DNS, and network operations, particularly through continuous engagement with the v6ops working group in the IETF. This engagement is crucial as many works within the v6ops working group, although not directly connected to this project, provide valuable operational information on maintaining IPv6-only networks that can greatly benefit our project. In terms of training and support needs for the project team, we will focus on ensuring team members are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills required to implement the project effectively. This will include staying up to date with the latest advancements in IPv6, DNS, and network operations, as well as closely following the work of the v6ops working group in the IETF for relevant operational information. For project beneficiaries, we will provide training on the use of IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers and guidance on addressing misconfigurations and other issues related to IPv6 deployment of DNS. The training will take into account diversity considerations, ensuring that it is accessible and inclusive for all participants. ### Research Capacity and Supporting Environment > What research expertise does the project team have? What training and support regarding research capacity will your project team have access to, to guarantee the success of the project? Describe what technologies you plan to use to conduct your research. Please reflect on possible diversity considerations related to your organization’s research capacity and supporting environment. The project team has a strong research background, with expertise in IPv6, DNS, and network operations. We have experience in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, as well as data analysis and dissemination of research findings. Our team will have access to various resources, including technical tools, literature, and support from industry experts, to guarantee the success of the project. Regarding diversity considerations, we are committed to making our research accessible to a broader audience. To this end, we will translate our research findings into Japanese and English to cater to different linguistic communities within the Asia Pacific region. We will also identify appropriate outlets, such as conferences, workshops, and online platforms, to disseminate our research effectively and ensure that it reaches a diverse audience. ### Research Capacity and Supporting Environment The project team brings a diverse range of expertise to the table, with members experienced in IPv6, DNS, network operations, and data analysis. Our team members have a strong background in conducting research projects, as well as experience in designing and implementing innovative networking solutions. This diverse skill set will be crucial in ensuring the successful execution of the project. In terms of training and support for research capacity, our project team will have access to: 1. Ongoing training opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and webinars, to ensure that our team members stay up to date with the latest advancements in IPv6, DNS, and network operations. 2. Collaboration with industry experts and organizations, which will provide valuable insights and guidance for our project, as well as opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking. 3. Access to cutting-edge tools and technologies for data collection, analysis, and networking, enabling us to conduct high-quality research and implement effective solutions. To conduct our research, we plan to use various technologies, including: 1. Data collection tools and analytical software to gather and analyze domain data. 2. Networking tools and techniques for implementing IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers utilizing NAT64. 3. Public cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP to create network topologies in different regions, both within and outside the APAC region. Diversity considerations related to our organization's research capacity and supporting environment include: 1. Making our research accessible to a broader audience. To this end, we will translate our research findings into Japanese and English to cater to different linguistic communities within the Asia Pacific region. 2. Identify appropriate outlets, such as conferences, workshops, and online platforms, to disseminate our research effectively and ensure that it reaches a diverse audience. 3. Engaging with diverse stakeholder groups during the research process, including domain owners, network operators, and policymakers, to ensure that our findings and recommendations are relevant and applicable across various contexts and communities. By focusing on these diversity considerations, we aim to create an inclusive research environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and excellence, ultimately contributing to the successful execution of the project and the promotion of IPv6 adoption. ### Community and Internet Development #### Innovation* Our project's innovative aspects encompass both technical and social elements. On the technical side, our project addresses a significant barrier to IPv6 deployment by first researching the types of domains that cannot be resolved by IPv6-only iterative resolvers. This research will provide valuable insights into the underlying issues and inform the development of our proposed solution. We aim to develop IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers that can resolve domain names even if their authoritative name servers are IPv4-only. We propose a solution that utilizes the Pref::/96 prefix to synthesize IPv4 addresses into compatible IPv6 addresses, enabling the use of NAT64 in IPv6-only networks. This approach is innovative because it offers a new way to overcome the limitations of IPv6-only iterative resolvers and accelerates the transition to an IPv6-only environment. On the social side, our project's innovative aspects include promoting awareness of the challenges and best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. By conducting research and sharing our findings with the broader Internet community, we aim to improve understanding of the issues hindering IPv6 adoption and foster collaboration to address these challenges. Regarding gender and inclusion, our project is led by the main organizer, Momoka Yamamoto, a young female student who is passionate about contributing to the IETF standardization community. Our project team is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We ensure representation from different backgrounds, genders, and expertise areas within the team and actively seek input from a wide range of stakeholders, including domain owners, network operators, and policymakers. #### Internet Development Contribution* Our project is expected to advance Internet development in line with the ISIF Asia Knowledge Program area by: 1. Addressing a key challenge in IPv6 deployment by improving the functionality of IPv6-only iterative resolvers, which can encourage more organizations to transition to an IPv6-only environment. 2. Sharing research findings and best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6, which can help domain owners, network operators, and policymakers make informed decisions about IPv6 deployment. 3. Promoting the adoption of IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers through submission of the informational document titled "IPv6 only capable resolver utilizing NAT64" to the IETF v6ops working group (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-momoka-v6ops-ipv6-only-resolver/), contributing to the broader Internet development ecosystem. #### Community Development Contribution* Our project is expected to contribute to the development of the Internet community in line with the ISIF Asia Knowledge Program area by: 1. Empowering network operators and domain owners with the knowledge and tools to overcome the limitations of IPv6-only iterative resolvers, fostering a more inclusive and accessible Internet for all. 2. Engaging with various stakeholders, including domain owners, network operators, and policymakers, to ensure that our research findings and recommendations are relevant and widely applicable. 3. Providing training and support for project beneficiaries on the use of IPv6-only capable iterative resolvers and addressing misconfigurations and other issues related to IPv6 deployment of DNS, taking into account diversity considerations to create an inclusive learning environment. By addressing these specific community needs, our project will contribute to the growth and success of the Internet ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region and help bridge the digital divide. ## Diversity > Increasing gender equality and social inclusion across the Internet industry is important for all APNIC Foundation work. We seek to support the development of a field that is inclusive and reflects different elements of diversity such as gender, disability, languages and cultures, among others. We understand that increasing diversity may not be the main objective of your proposal, but successfully selected projects should include explicit actions to address gender equality and social inclusion and include budget allocations that directly and intentionally support such actions. Understanding the context and the challenges organizations face will help us support you better. > Please reflect on the questions below and provide information about how your project fosters gender equality and social inclusion. Provide concrete examples and, if relevant, give details about how budget allocations will support this activity. ### How does the project support active participation from a gender perspective, both as part of the project team and communities served, in particular related to women and gender diverse people? The project supports active participation from a gender perspective by having a female network engineer, Momoka Yamamoto, as its main organizer. Momoka, who is currently pursuing her master's degree at the University of Tokyo, will gain valuable networking, IPv6, DNS, and analytics experience through her involvement in this project. Her contribution to the IETF by presenting her draft on IPv6-only capable resolver utilizing NAT64 will serve as an inspiring example for young women in the network industry and the IETF community. ### How does the project support people with disabilities, both as part of the project team and communities served, to overcome challenges for a full and active participation? Although the project does not currently address the needs and challenges faced by people with disabilities, the project team will work on incorporating accessibility and inclusion measures in the future. ### How does the project support language and/or cultural diversity, both as part of the project team and communities served? The project supports language and cultural diversity within the project team and the communities served. The team primarily communicates in Japanese but also collaborates with English-speaking partners. Research findings will be published in both Japanese and English. In addition, team members fluent in Chinese, Hindu, Indonesian, Italian, and other languages can assist in supporting language diversity within the project and beyond. ## Monitoring and Evaluation ### Monitoring and Evaluation Framework* Our Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) strategy incorporates diversity considerations and focuses on both quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure the project's success. We define success as: 1. Increased awareness and understanding of the challenges and best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. 2. Improved functionality of IPv6-only iterative resolvers. 3. Widespread adoption of IPv6-only capable resolvers. To track progress and achieve impact, we will use indicators such as: - Number of domains that cannot be resolved by IPv6-only iterative resolvers identified and analyzed. - Percentage of identified misconfigurations and other barriers to IPv6 deployment addressed. - Number of IPv6-only capable resolvers developed and deployed. - Number of training sessions conducted and participants engaged. - Feedback from training participants and community members on the effectiveness of our project. Data will be collected through various methods, including surveys, interviews, and analysis of project outputs. The findings will be used to refine our project approach, inform future project phases, and share lessons learned with the broader community. ### Expected Impact and Lessons Learned The expected impact of this project on our organization's current activities includes: 1. Strengthening our expertise in IPv6, DNS, and network operations. 2. Expanding our network of contacts within the Internet community, particularly among domain owners, network operators, and policymakers. 3. Enhancing our organization's reputation as a leader in promoting IPv6 adoption and addressing DNS infrastructure challenges. We plan to use the lessons learned during the project implementation to inform our future projects, improve our organization's capacity, and contribute to the broader knowledge base within the Internet community. I've added the advantage to the "Users and Uses" section, as it fits well with the benefits for the community: ### Users and Uses The project will benefit the community we serve by: 1. Improving the accessibility and functionality of the Internet for IPv6-only network operators and users. 2. Providing practical guidance and support for addressing misconfigurations and other barriers to IPv6 deployment. 3. Raising awareness and promoting best practices for configuring DNS infrastructure to support IPv6. 4. Promoting IPv6-only networks, which in turn will provide more opportunities for small ISPs that only have IPv6 connectivity. By improving the ability of IPv6-only iterative resolvers, network operators will have better access to Internet connectivity, contributing to digital inclusion and economic growth in the region. The project benefits our organization and team by: 1. Enhancing our technical expertise and understanding of IPv6, DNS, and network operations. 2. Providing opportunities for collaboration and networking within the Internet community. 3. Positioning our organization as a leader in addressing DNS infrastructure challenges and promoting IPv6 adoption. The project is designed to provide benefits for both men and women by ensuring that our activities are inclusive and accessible to all genders. This includes actively promoting gender equality within our project team and providing training and support that is gender-sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we serve. ## Communications ### Communications* > How do you plan to promote your project? Do you have a communication strategy in mind? If yes, how does the strategy address diversity? How will the community engage with your organization and your team about the project? Do you request feedback from the community? If so, how do you use it? We encourage you to consider the different needs of marginalized and difficult to reach populations in the design of your communication and dissemination products. ### Pitch your project to the Selection Committee. Add a link to a short video (no longer than 1 minute) on YouTube or Vimeo. Link ## Sustainability ### Sustainability Plan* > How does your organization plan to keep the project running once the ISIF Asia funding has been exhausted? How will the community be involved in the design and implementation of a sustainability plan? Are there other sources of funding committed to support the continuation of your project? ## Project Team ### Governance* > Please share details about the people and processes involved in the project/activity planning, decision-making and implementation. You are required to include information about how the project will encourage diversity and participation. ## Budget ### Currency of Bank Account ** Current Exchange Rate (Read Only) > During the initial application process, you are only asked to provide a high level budget. If you advance to the final stages of the review process, you will be asked to provide a detailed budget. Grant Budget Breakdown in USD I'm applying for Small grants (USD 30,000) so that should be the sum of below. ### What equipment would you buy with funds from this grant according to the technical information provided above? Equipment in USD: $10,000 Servers for conducting experiments in multiple ASs, including Amazon VPC, Azure VNet, and Google VPC. ### Are you planning to use grant funds to hire new staff or pay for the salaries of existing staff members? For them to be considered "project staff" they need to be working with the project dedicating more than 50% of their time to project activities. Personnel in USD: $15,000 Momoka as project lead: $10,000 Lab student as assistant: $5,000 ### Are you planning to use grant funds to hire external consultants/contractors and pay for professional services fees? Please include here the budget requested to cover professional services provided by staff, if their time dedication is less than 50%. No external consultants or contractors Please describe: N/A ### Under this category, please include project expenses for the activities and research proposed. Include expenses related to local and national engagement activities (including travel, training for community beneficiaries, logistics, and so forth). Project Activities in USD: $0 No additional costs for project activities and research. ### Under this category, please ONLY include costs associated with engagement conducted by the project team internationally (including travel). International Engagement in USD: $3,000 Travel to IETF, APRICOT, and DNS-OARC conferences to present project findings and engage with the international community. ### Under this category, please ONLY include costs associated with training and professional development for the staff project team. Staff Mentoring and Training in USD: $1,000 Books and resources for staff to learn about networking, IPv6, DNS, and server operation. ### Support Services Fees (hosting, translation, office supplies, and so forth). Support Services in USD: $1,000 Miscellaneous costs such as office supplies. Note: Total budget calculation and amount verification occurs upon Save (or Save and Continue) Total Budget in USD: $0.00 Please enter 0 in this box. The form will not submit without 0 being entered. Matching Contributions Please describe the contribution that your organization has set aside to implement the project if selected. Please include cash and in-kind contributions. Financial contribution by the implementing organization in USD Value of in-kind contribution by the implementing organization in USD Please describe Financial contribution by the implementing organization in USD Please describe Total project budget from ALL sources in USD Hi, I'm Momoka, a master's student, working with my team at the University of Tokyo to tackle the challenge of some domains not being resolved by IPv6-only iterative resolvers, due to certain authoritative name servers lacking IPv6 support. In our project, we'll analyze the affected domains, pinpoint root causes, and develop a solution - the "IPv6-only capable resolver" - while assessing its effectiveness. We'll also engage with the community at prominent conferences like IETF, DNS-OARC, and APRICOT. Our project is dedicated to facilitating a seamless IPv6 transition, which will ultimately promote growth and enhance connectivity in the Asia-Pacific Internet landscape. With a $30,000 budget, we'll efficiently allocate funds to equipment, personnel, and international engagement, and our 12-month timeline ensures unwavering progress toward our objectives.