[conspire] IPv6 ... some bits :-)

[Michael Paoli]

> From: "Michael Paoli" <Michael.Paoli at cal.berkeley.edu>
> Subject: IPv6 ... some bits :-)
> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:44:15 -0800

http://linuxmafia.com/pipermail/conspire/2021-March/011537.html
> Yummy training - want quite a bit more?
> For more on that, start here:
> https://ipv6.he.net/certification/
> Oh, you can even show your certification too, e.g.:
> https://ipv6.he.net/certification/create_badge.php?pass_name=MichaelPaoli&badge=2
> https://ipv6.he.net/certification/create_badge.php?pass_name=MichaelPaoli&badge=3
> Some teensy cautionary bits regarding their training/certification:
> o if one is planning to do the full exercises, one would be well
>   advised to pick suitable domain - one that one can fully control,
>   has static IPs, can do sending/receiving email servers, DNS servers,
>   can delegate the DNS, etc.  Most notably as, at least I saw earlier in
>   their software, once one has selected domain, one can't (at least on a
>   given account) go back later and change that domain selection.  So, to
>   be able to complete all the required tests (which are programmatically
>   checked and verified), should start with a suitable domain.

Yeah, about that ... will want it to be a TLD with registrar, to be
able to make it through completing the "Sage" level (where one gets
t-shirt and other cool extra benefits).  When it asks about domain,
can specify it with preceding www. (e.g. if that's the canonical for
your web site) - it later gives you the option to strip that off for
other parts of the exercise.  Also, web bits, I think they're lookin'
for an HTTP 200 response.  A 301 or 302 or other redirection that gets
to penultimate target won't suffice (yes, some of their checks are a
bit simplistic ... but then again, for a "test file", how would they
otherwise know you weren't redirecting absolutely everything for the
domain?).

And, yeah, wee bit too much shelter-in-place / lockdown /
{COVID/"cabin} "fever" (no, not as in infectious or literal) and ...
I got a wee bit bored.  Had also created sflug account long ago,
I ripped through that from nothin' to Sage level in quick order ...
picked the "wrong" domain first time (to do all the exercises),
their FAQ covers how to change that after-the-fact ... but it involves
resetting down many levels and repeating, going up from there again.

And, yeah, the "daily" tests for getting more points on top of the
"Sage" level.  Overnight I automated it with Perl's WWW::Mechanize
... so, now ... of the 3 accounts I have ... they should each be picking up
an additional 5 points about once per 24.5 hours or so.
https://ipv6.he.net/certification/create_badge.php?pass_name=MichaelPaoli&badge=3
https://ipv6.he.net/certification/create_badge.php?pass_name=BALUG&badge=3
https://ipv6.he.net/certification/create_badge.php?pass_name=sflug&badge=3
If I recall correctly it maxes out at 1500 points ... but not there yet.
First of 'em should hit that in about 70 or so days, if I recall correctly.
And, yeah, I set up a bunch (256) of test IPv6 IPs under balug.org
(specifically under test.balug.org), so I wouldn't have to spend/waste time
tracking down various IPv6 IPs all over 'da Interwebs that would satisfy
all the various tests (forward and reverse DNS, pingable, ...) - of course
also setting up all the requisite bits.  And ... fun with IPv6 IPs / "names".
Each of 'em has 4 sets of 4 hex "digits", in sequence and non-repeating,
where each set of 4 is just letters and spells a word.
And if I "run out" ... well, of those 256, before maxing out the (presumed)
1500 points, I can always add more.  I mean I have nearly 2^64 to potentialy
work with.  At tests limited to one set per day, though, known/observable
Universe might well run out'a time long before then, though.