More Than Just Packets and Protocols: A Fellow's Reflection on the 3rd APAC IPv6 Council Meet in Chennai
Planted July 12, 2025
The email landed in my inbox like a spark: “Congratulations! You have been selected for the APAC IPv6 Council Fellowship.” The feeling was electric. To be chosen as one of the inaugural fellows for this pivotal event was not just an honor, it was a ticket to the front lines of the internet’s evolution in our part of the world. The destination: Chennai, India. The mission: to learn, connect, and contribute.
For two days, July 10th and 11th, 2025, I was immersed in a world of protocols, policies, and passionate people at the Novotel Chamiers Road. This isn’t just a technical report of a conference; it’s the story of my experience, the invaluable lessons learned, the small moments that mattered, and a few ideas for an already incredible program.
So, What Exactly is the APAC IPv6 Council?
Before I dive in, let’s set the stage. Think of the APAC IPv6 Council as the architects and city planners for the internet’s future highways in the Asia-Pacific region. The old internet address system (IPv4) has run out of space. IPv6 is the vast, new frontier, and the Council’s mission is to guide us all there smoothly and securely. Their work is built on three crucial pillars:
- Accelerating Deployment: They actively push industries, governments, and universities to make the switch to IPv6.
- Fostering Collaboration: They create the meeting point—like this one in Chennai—for experts from across the globe to share what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a more secure network for everyone.
- Building Capacity: They are committed to education, running hands-on workshops to empower the engineers who will build and maintain this new internet.
In short, they are the champions of a future-proof internet for Asia and the Pacific.
My Fellowship Experience: A Tale of Two Days
The atmosphere at the Novotel was a fascinating blend of formal and informal. You’d see sharp suits deep in conversation with engineers in t-shirts, all united by a common language of acronyms and a shared vision. The real magic, I quickly discovered, happened during the coffee breaks. These weren’t just pauses; they were the conference’s vibrant, caffeinated networking hubs, where a question about a presentation could blossom into a deep conversation about digital policy in another country.
Day 1: The Grand Orchestra of Regional Progress
The first day was a symphony of high-level insights. Listening to the welcome address by Prof Emeritus Dr. Sureswaran Ramadass and the keynote from Dr. Latif Ladid felt like hearing from internet elder statesmen—pioneers who have seen it all and were now charting the course for the future.
The day unfolded with a rapid-fire tour of the internet’s front lines. Anil M Patil’s talk on Reliance Jio’s deployment wasn’t just about the staggering numbers; it was a story of sheer scale and ambition. Then came the country updates. It was fascinating to hear the unique challenges and triumphs from Kazakhstan, Nepal, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Each presentation was a window into a different world, a different set of obstacles, and a different strategy for progress.
I found myself scribbling notes furiously, not just about the technical details, but about the human element—the policy hurdles, the educational initiatives, and the tireless work happening behind the scenes. It was a powerful reminder that building the internet is as much about people as it is about packets.
Day 2: Rolling Up My Sleeves in the DNSSEC Workshop
On the second day, we had a choice. While the management track on IPv6 transition was tempting, my heart lies in the command line. I eagerly signed up for the Certified DNSSEC for Engineers Workshop.
The room’s dynamic shifted from a lecture hall to a collaborative lab. Our guide was Mr. Mohamed Elnour Abdelhafez, an IPv6 expert from the IPv6 Forum who had a remarkable gift for making complex cryptographic concepts feel intuitive. You could hear a mix of triumphant keyboard clicks and puzzled murmurs as we all worked through the BIND configurations on our virtual private servers. There was a shared sense of purpose, of collectively wrestling with a complex technology and emerging victorious. It was challenging, it was practical, and it was exactly the hands-on experience I had hoped for.
Reflections and Hopes for the Future
The event was a phenomenal success, and the fellowship program is a game-changer. But in the spirit of constructive feedback, here are my reflections:
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What I Absolutely Loved: The sheer density of knowledge and the accessibility of the experts were unparalleled. The fellowship itself is a brilliant initiative that I am immensely grateful for. It demolishes barriers and brings new voices to the table.
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What I’d Love to See Next Time: I had a fantastic, spontaneous five-minute chat with a board member while waiting for coffee. It was one of the highlights of my day. I just wish there was a structured way to ensure every fellow had that kind of interaction. A dedicated, informal “Fellows’ Meet and Greet” with the Council’s board would be an invaluable addition.
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A Few Ideas for an Even Better Fellowship:
- Mentorship Pairing: Pairing each fellow with a seasoned expert for the event could be transformative. Having a go-to person to ask “What did you really think of that talk?” or to clarify a technical point would foster deeper learning and create lasting connections.
- More Interactive Panels: Imagine a “Debate the Experts” session on a hot topic like ‘NAT64: Long-term solution or temporary crutch?’. The energy in the room would be electric.
- Building a Fellows’ Alumni Network: The connections we made shouldn’t fade away. A simple mailing list or a dedicated chat channel for fellowship alumni would create a lasting community for collaboration and support long after the conference ends. Although, yes this was the first fellowship cohort, I believe it is important to build a community of fellows who can continue to support each other and the Council’s mission. and I hope to see this happen in the future.
The Technical Deep Dive: My DNSSEC Workshop Playbook
As a computer science student, I thrive on the technical challenges that come with events like this. The DNSSEC workshop was a highlight for me, not just for the knowledge gained but for the practical skills acquired.
For my fellow tech enthusiasts who want to get their hands dirty, the DNSSEC workshop was pure gold. Here is the step-by-step guide I compiled from my notes—the practical playbook I wish I’d had before I started.
DISCLAIMER: !!! This entire technical workthrough is AI generated content which I generated with the help of the actual content that the participants of the workshop had to go through. It is not a verbatim copy of the workshop content, but rather a synthesis of the key steps and concepts discussed during the event. Please use this as a guide to understand the process and adapt it to your own learning and implementation needs. !!!
Website for the DNSSEC Workshop : dnssecsd-org.vercel.app - This is also made by me !
Our mission was to secure the domain labx.dnssecsd.org using BIND9.
1. BIND9 Installation and Configuration
First, we built our foundation: a secure DNS server.
Installation:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install bind9 bind9utils dnsutils
Core Configuration (/etc/bind/named.conf.options):
We immediately hardened the server by disabling recursion and unauthorized zone transfers.
options {
listen-on { 127.0.0.1; x.x.x.x; };
zone-statistics yes;
version none;
hostname none;
allow-transfer { none; };
auth-nxdomain no;
recursion no;
};
2. Setting Up the Zone
Next, we created the zone file, defining our domain’s essential records.
Zone File (/var/cache/bind/master/db.labx.dnssecsd.org):
$TTL 10800 ; 3 hours
labx.dnssecsd.org. IN SOA nsx.pi.sd. noc.pi.sd. (
2024120001 ; serial
10800 ; refresh (3 hours)
3600 ; retry (1 hour)
604800 ; expire (1 week)
10800 ; minimum (3 hours)
)
;NS
labx.dnssecsd.org. IN NS nsx.pi.sd.
;RECORDS
labx.dnssecsd.org. 800 IN A 102.130.255.x
labx.dnssecsd.org. 800 IN AAAA 2405:3800:8b9:b60:7915:5f8c:b089:deb4
mail.labx.dnssecsd.org. 800 IN A 102.130.255.x
labx.dnssecsd.org. 800 IN MX 0 mail.labx.dnssecsd.org.
3. Generating Keys and Signing the Zone
This was the heart of the workshop. We used the modern and efficient ECDSAP256SHA256 algorithm to generate our cryptographic keys.
Key Generation: We created a Zone Signing Key (ZSK) for signing records and a Key Signing Key (KSK) for signing the key set itself.
# Generate Zone Signing Key (ZSK)
sudo dnssec-keygen -3 -a ECDSAP256SHA256 labx.dnssecsd.org
# Generate Key Signing Key (KSK)
sudo dnssec-keygen -f KSK -3 -a ECDSAP256SHA256 labx.dnssecsd.org
Enabling Inline Signing:
We configured BIND to manage the signing process automatically—a modern feature that makes life much easier.
Updated Zone Configuration (/etc/bind/named.conf.local):
zone "labx.dnssecsd.org." {
type master;
file "master/db.labx.dnssecsd.org";
masterfile-format text;
auto-dnssec maintain;
inline-signing yes;
key-directory "/var/cache/bind/keys";
};
4. Creating the DS Record & Completing the Chain of Trust
The final piece of the puzzle: generating the Delegation Signer (DS) record from our KSK. This record is the public fingerprint you give to your parent zone (like .org) to plug your domain into the global chain of trust.
Generating the DS Record:
sudo dnssec-dsfromkey <KSK.key public key>
5. Verification
The moment of truth. Using dig and the wonderful online tool DNSViz, we could see our work pay off. The complete, unbroken chain of green locks on DNSViz was a beautiful sight, confirming that our domain was now cryptographically secure.
Beyond the Conference Hall: Exploring the Soul of Chennai
Conferences are about knowledge, collaboration, and ideas—but the magic often lies in everything that happens between the sessions. My recent visit to Chennai was not just an intellectual journey, but also a deeply personal and cultural experience.
Day Zero: If you will
I arrived a day early, eager to soak in the local culture before the conference began. Chennai, with its rich history and vibrant traditions, was a city I had long wanted to explore. The warmth of the people, the aroma of street food, and the sound of Tamil music filled the air, making me feel instantly at home. One of my friends and fellow IPv6 Council Fellow, Vasu, was my guide, showing me the hidden gems of the city. That day I got to see the night life at the beach and the bustling markets, where every corner had a story to tell.
A Slight Bump on Day One
Just as the event kicked off, I had a small mishap—a minor injury on Day 1 that sidelined me from a few plans. One of my biggest regrets? Not being able to jump into the waves at Marina Beach as I’d hoped. But life had other ways of showing me the city’s warmth, and I embraced the adventure with an open heart (and a bandaged leg).
Marina Beach Mornings
Despite not being able to swim, I couldn’t resist visiting the iconic Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. Walking barefoot on the cool sand during sunrise, with the rhythmic waves playing in the background, was a grounding experience. Watching the locals do yoga, fly kites, or simply sit and chat made me feel part of something larger and timeless.
A Culinary Journey
Chennai’s food is a love letter written in spices. I had the opportunity to taste authentic South Indian cuisine—from crispy dosas to fluffy idlis dipped in tangy sambar. Eating with my hands, just like the locals, made it even more immersive. Every meal felt like a story—of tradition, care, and community.
Temples, History, and Art
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a Dravidian architectural marvel glowing with history and devotion. Standing amidst centuries-old carvings and ongoing rituals, I felt deeply connected to the cultural roots of the land. I also explored the Government Museum, which offered a glimpse into the region’s artistic and historical heritage—from bronze sculptures to ancient manuscripts.
Conversations That Matter
Some of the most impactful moments weren’t on the agenda—they happened over filter coffee, late-night walks, and informal gatherings. I had the chance to engage with fellow attendees not just as peers, but as people—with stories, visions, and shared passions. These moments reminded me why I love being part of such global, dynamic communities.
Chennai, You Were More Than a Host
Despite a rocky start, my time in Chennai became one of reflection, connection, and discovery. The city welcomed me with open arms, fed me generously, taught me history, and left me inspired.
This experience reminded me that sometimes, the best parts of a journey are the ones we don’t plan for.
