Bhutan is one of the remotest countries in the world with some of the most rugged terrains on Earth.Its geography is challenging for network establishment but Bhutan Telecom’s DrukNet has, since 1999, established 34 Points of Presence (PoP), delivering the highest-rated Internet services in Bhutan.
DrukNet has a total of only 16,384 IPv4 addresses, and with the growing awareness and recognition of the Internet as a modern everyday tool, plus its affordability, these addresses are nearly depleted. The need for DrukNet to adopt IPv6 has therefore become a priority. DrukNet management believes that now is a better time to begin the IPv4 to IPv6 transition, because Bhutan’s infrastructure is still a manageable size.DrukNet’s goal is to enable Bhutan to become the world's first IPv6-Ready country.
Druknet anticipates that once Bhutan's network is updated, it will bolster the country’s overall image, attracting ICT projects and investors.This would enable a wider range of opportunities for ICT projects and related businesses in Bhutan. DrukNet is determined to maintain the role of Bhutan Telecom's leading ISP and strongly feels that the transition to IPv6 is key in achieving this goal.
“IPv6-Ready” means having your servers operational at the Internet connectivity level with the two most popular Internet services – web and mail. DrukNet has 108 Internet leased lines and 6 IPVPN customers. The latter each have several regional sites connected, bringing the total close to 50.
DrukNet will train Bhutan’s network and system administrators in classrooms and labs, equipping them with adequate knowledge and skills to successfully implement IPv6 in their infrastructures. DrukNet backbone links run on dual-stack IPv4/v6. CISCO will furnish equipment including laptops with various Operating Systems, with a strong preference for open source.After these training sessions, DrukNet will provide assistance to all participants in IPv6 implementation in their networks.
DrukNet will first implement IPv6 across its own Internet infrastructure. This will entail establishing IPv6-enabled Internet backbone links and end terminals (for example, routers) connecting the 34 PoPs. Then the deployment and implementation will move to customer networks, which are connected to DrukNet’s PoPs. It may be favorable to carry out both phases concurrently. After deployment is completed, DrukNet will oversee IPv6 implementation in other ISPs’ networks and their customer networks. DrukNet will provide technical support directly via consultations, which will be provided as needed. Other Bhutan ISPs only have a presence in the capital city of Thimphu and a few cities in western Bhutan. DrukNet will assist networks that cover these areas to deploy IPv6 as well.
In order to evaluate and monitor our customer networks, as well as other ISPs and their customer networks, DrukNet will establish IPv6 connections with other networks and test the services (especially web and mail). We expect most of our clients will need to upgrade their equipment in preparation for IPv6 adoption. DrukNet’s existing infrastructure will only require one PoP upgrade at Zhemgang.
DrukNet clients typically buy equipment upgrades direct from DrukNet, and all clients will have to bear the expenses for any upgrades required at their premises.As part of this project, special discounted prices will be offered.
DrukNet currently has 130 Internet leased lines and close to 100 VPN connections on IPv4. In addition, there are 3,500 ADSL broadband users on IPv4. DrukNet does not currently serve any IPv6 users. IPv6 services will be provided at the same price as IPv4.
Bhutan Telecom Limited (known commonly as “Bhutan Telecom”) is a public corporation and a telecommunications services provider in Bhutan. It provides fixed line telephone, Internet and (GSM) cellular mobile services which operate under three separate divisions. DrukNet is thus one division under Bhutan Telecom as the Internet Service Provider. Druknet provides creative ICT solutions to promote the growth of ICT in an effort towards contributing to the socio-economic development of Bhutan.
For more information about DrukNet visit: http://www.druknet.bt/
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