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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I contact the SIX for non-urgent issues?
A: Email info _a_t_ seattleix.net.

Q: How do I contact SIX Network Operations?
A: For service-affecting problems, please email noc _a_t_ seattleix.net. For non-urgent issues please email info _a_t_ seattleix.net.

Q: What mailing lists are available for participants?
A: The mailing lists available are:

List name How to subscribe Purpose
announce announce-subscribe@seattleix.net Moderated announcements list for people who aren't on the members list but need to hear about important SIX related matters (maintenance, meetings, etc.) from the SIX admins. All messages to this list are automatically sent to the members list too, so no need to subscribe to both. Member to member communication should be done using the members list or your own private list of peers.
chat chat-subscribe@seattleix.net Optional list for participants to freely discuss Seattle Internet issues. Examples of acceptable discussion include: offers/requests for surplus equipment, sharing of tips/tricks, building gossip, etc.
members members-subscribe@seattleix.net Intended to be low volume so that all technical contacts remain subscribed. Notices of maintenance work, SIX organization discussion and upcoming meetings are appropriate for this list.
multicast multicast-subscribe@seattleix.net For discussion of multicast over the SIX.

Q: Location?
A: The physical location (no postal mail!) is Westin Office Building, 19th floor, 2001 6th Avenue, Seattle. NPA-NXX is 206-443. The mailing address is Seattle Internet Exchange, Inc., 1700 7th Ave Ste 116 #400, Seattle, WA  98101-1323.

Q: MAC Address Changes?
A: If you are going to perform maintenance that results in a possible MAC address change for packets sent from your router, please coordinate with info@seattleix.net in advance, or you risk being cut off. We can allow multiple specific MAC addresses temporarily, to enable transition.

In an emergency, if you are cut off, feel free to force your router to use the MAC address that was previously working for you.

At a technical level, different participants are governed by different MACL policies depending on how they are connected. If you are on an extension, your connection is likely governed by a MACL. Except in specific cases where we have coordinated with a participant, participants connected to core switches generally have automatic MACLs or no MACL at all.

How participants are connected (core vs. extension) is detailed in the "Switch" column of: http://www.seattleix.net/participants.htm

Q: Where do I go for an address allocation or to change the reverse DNS for an existing address allocation?
A: To change your existing address allocation, email info _a_t_ seattleix.net. For new participants, once your connection is up, you can request an allocation by sending the following to info _a_t_ seattleix.net:

    Organization Name:
    Organization URL (or Peering Policy page if available):
    ASN:
    Reverse DNS FQDN: (ex. six.example.net)
    Tech Name:
    Tech Email:
    Tech Phone:
    NOC Phone:
    NOC Email:
    Peering Email:
    IPv6: (yes or no)
    Multicast: (yes or no)

Q: What connection types and speeds are available?
A: You can connect via single-mode fiber. Available speeds are 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps and port-channel multiples. LACP is supported. Please see http://www.seattleix.net/join.htm for more information.

Q: What is the cost of connecting to the SIX?
A: The SIX donor model makes it so there is no fee for an organization's first GigE port, but multi-GigE and 10GE ports may involve a one-time port fee. The SIX does not charge recurring fees and is run entirely by volunteers.

The building management or your colocation provider will likely charge you for the cost of labor and materials for running a circuit to the SIX, and may charge you a recurring fee.

Q: What are the rules?
A: Please check out http://www.seattleix.net/rules.htm.

Q: Any tips on configuring my router?
A: The Amsterdam IX provides a helpful configuration guide for exchange point participants here. A variety of hardware is covered.

For Cisco hardware, one possible exception to their advice concerns disabling "keepalive". We recommend you evaluate for yourself whether this should be disabled or not. Some say the GigE standard makes it unnecessary and thus recommend "no keepalive". Otherwise, we suggest the following:

Globally:

    no ip gratuitous-arps
    no ipv6 source route

SIX-facing interface:

    no cdp enable
    no mop enable
    udld port disable
    no ip directed-broadcast
    no ip redirects
    no ip proxy-arp
    ipv6 nd suppress-ra   (if 'ipv6 nd ra suppress' does not work)
    ipv6 nd ra suppress   (if 'ipv6 nd suppress-ra' does not work)
    no ipv6 mfib forwarding
    no ipv6 mld router
    no ipv6 pim
    no ipv6 redirects

Q: What size MTU is supported?
A: All of the participants are using a 1500 byte MTU on their ports. This is the standard for public Ethernet-based exchanges.

Q: Does the SIX maintain a looking glass?
A: No, but Packet Clearing House does. Check out: http://lg.pch.net/

Q: What is the organizational structure of the SIX?
A: The Seattle Internet Exchange, Inc. is a Washington State non-profit corporation. Our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and minutes of official meetings are available at http://www.seattleix.net/docs/. The SIX is an IRS 501(c)(6) income tax exempt organization.

Q: Who is on the SIX board and who are the officers?
A: Nikos Mouat (President), Jared Reimer (Vice President), Chris Caputo (Secretary/Treasurer), Troy Davis and Patrick Gilmore.

Q: How may an organization contribute to the SIX?
A: Funds may be contributed to the SIX via PayPal (paypal _a_t_ seattleix.net) or via check to Seattle Internet Exchange, Inc., 1700 7th Ave Ste 116 #400, Seattle, WA 98101-1323. For credit cards, PayPal can be used. If you would like to contribute hardware, either to be used by the SIX or sold with the proceeds going to the SIX, please email info _a_t_ seattleix.net to discuss options. Donors are recognized on the contributors page. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. They may be deductible as trade or business expenses if ordinary and necessary in the conduct of the taxpayer's business. The SIX is a 501(c)(6) income tax exempt organization.

Q: SIX logo?
A: Illustrator (.ai), 223x153 PNG, 223x153x5 PNG, 4096x2662 PNG, 446x306 JPEG

Comments/corrections/suggestions/additions to webmaster at seattleix.net please.