A client asked me to do this configuration because they did not have the resources to it themselves. No problem. I have been working with LoRa and Kerlinks for a while now doing a consultancy job for another client (a big telco). They did not want to connect the Kerlink to their local network for security reasons. They wanted to add their gateway to TheThingsNetwork.org (TTN), a global open crowdsourced Internet of Things data network that started in The Netherlands. Reading the forums, I noticed that many trying to do the same have run into issues. The documentation is sometimes incomplete and scattered so it takes a bit of effort to get it to work.

IoT lab at the home office
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The task at hand:

Configure a Kerlink IoT station to use its GPRS/3G modem as its uplink path and connect it to TheThingsNetwork.org. The SIM provided was a PukData M2M SIM which uses the KPN mobile network in The Netherlands.
Normally, the Kerlink will use its  ethernet (eth0) uplink as its default path. The basic idea here is that, if configured correctly, an autoconnect mechanism will trigger the GPRS bearer, establishes a PPP connection and set a default route and DNS.
I had already installed the TTN firmware with the polypacket forwarder on the Kerlink and got it to work using the ethernet uplink. I used a LoRaMote to check if packets actually showed up in the TTN api. For the next step, I basically followed the GPRS/3G guide on the TTN Wiki  which boils down to:

• Set the GPRS options to match your SIM and telco’s APN settings (i.e. APN name, pincode, username and password).
• Configure auto connect in the knet monitor.
• Set the bearers priority.
• Because no username/password is set for this APN, and empty username/password fields trigger a bug, I also installed the patched GPRS init script.

 
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I ran into a couple of things so these considerations may be useful:

• If your SIM comes with a pin code (usually 0000), set it with ‘GPRSPIN=<your pin here>’.
• If your APN username and password are to be left empty, replace the GPRS init script with the patched version as mentioned at the bottom of the guide.
• Carefully choose your ip_link address in /knet/knetd.xml depending on your requirements. This address is pinged periodically to determine if the GPRS auto connect needs to be activated. In my case I wanted one that is only reachable over the GPRS APN (e.g. for KPN use their DNS server: 194.151.228.34) to force it to bring up the ppp0 interface whenever possible. If you’re using GPRS as a backup path this should be different (I guess an address only reachable via eth0 but make sure the PPP session is terminated as soon as the primary path becomes available again). Use tcpdump (e.g. tcpdump -i ppp0 -n -v port 1700 or icmp) to check if it is pinging the correct address and if status updates are sent.
• I chose not to use peerdns (GPRSDNS=no) because the default DNS servers are not restored in case of a GPRS connection failure, thus breaking eth0 as a fallback path. I used the Google public DNS servers in stead as they work on both paths. This could also be fixed in /etc/ppp/ip-down.
• Remember that your default gateway will be set to the ppp0 interface whenever that interface comes up. You may want to be able to connect through eth0 for maintenance…
• The (poly) packet forwarder needs to be restarted whenever there is an interface change to make sure it binds to the right source address. If it isn’t you will see packets going out the ppp0 interface with the eth0 source address (or vice versa). I added ‘/usr/bin/killall poly_pkt_fwd’ to /etc/ppp/ip-up and /etc/ppp/ip-down.
• The firewall is not enabled by default. Make sure to edit /etc/init.d/firewall to your needs and turn it on in /etc/sysconfig/network (FIREWALL=yes). Don’t forget IPv6 although dropbear for instance does not listen on a v6 socket.

Tests to do to make sure it all works:

• Check if the gateway is still active (is sending status updates) and node messages are received in the TTN API after unplugging the ethernet uplink cable. If you’re using an ethernet power injector, make sure to unplug the cable going into the injector rather than the one going out to the Kerlink. Duh! 😉 Remember that you can’t log in to the gateway anymore, assuming access to the GPRS/3G address is blocked.
• Plug the ethernet cable back in and see if you can log in again. Then check if updates/messages are still being sent over the ppp0 interface using tcpdump.
• Power cycle the Kerlink while leaving the ethernet uplink cable unplugged. This will make sure the Kerlink will boot successfully in stand-alone mode, which was the whole purpose of this exercise.

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Configuration:

/etc/sysconfig/network:

 # Selector operator APN
 GPRSAPN=internet.access.nl
 # Enter pin code if activated
 GPRSPIN=0000
 # Update /etc/resolv.conf to get dns facilities
 GPRSDNS=no
 # PAP authentication
 GPRSUSER=
 GPRSPASSWORD=
 # Bearers priority order
 BEARERS_PRIORITY="ppp0,eth0,eth1"

/knet/knetd.xml:

<!-- ############## connection parameters ############## -->
<!-- nb of second to retry to connect to server if connection failed-->
<CONNECT retry_timeout="10" />
<!-- port nunmber for local application kms connection -->
<CONNECT kms_port="35035" />
<CONNECT auto_connection="YES" />
<!-- frequency of connection monitoring -ping- (in seconds) -->
<CONNECT link_timeout="30"/>
<!-- DNS servers will be pinged if commented or deleted. Some operators can block the ping on there DNS servers -->
<CONNECT ip_link="194.151.228.34"/>

Questions?

Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send a message.

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After some of these examples, output from a packet sniffer demonstrates the changes to the packet headers. The book finishes with mechanisms for implementing mixed IPv4 and IPv6 environments and approaches to transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6. Additional references and notes point the reader to more details or topics not covered by the book. Overall I certainly recommend this book as a starting point into IPv6 if the reader has some IPv4 and routing experience. I believe for the novice an additional more general book on networking should be digested first.
The book covers the Internet history and the motivation of IPv6. The IPv6 headers and Extension headers are presented in (again) a straightforward explanation with plenty of diagrams and tables. This explanation includes the specific differences between IPv4 and IPv6 headers. A nice overview of IPSec headers includes authentication, transport, and tunneling modes. Chapter four outlines the multitude of unicast, multicast, and anycast address types. The Neighborhood Discovery Protocol is a new feature of Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6). Graziani shows ICMPv6 with its enhancements is an important change in how IP hosts identify themselves and others hosts and routers on the network.
The middle of the book discusses IPv6 configuration and routing. Initially, a router is configured from scratch with the various address types. The same example configuration and network is nicely used through the middle of the book. This method is useful for continuity and context. Building on this initial configuration static routes and routing tables are built. The old and new RIPng, EIGRP, and OSPF are compared and contrasted in Chapter 8. The middle ends with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol version 6 (DHCPv6). The new features such as stateless & stateful DHCP and relay agents are covered. Some interesting differences in Domain Name Service (DNS), TCP, and UDP are explained.
The book ends with mixed IPv4 and IPv6 environments. Graziani shows dual stack allows for parallel IPv4 and IPv6 networks. He covers tunneling methods such as 6to4 and ISATAP that allow for IPv6 packets to be encapsulated in IPv4 packets and routed through an IPv4 network. He shows this allows for a smooth transition from IPv4. Finally Network Address Translation IPv6 to IPv4 (NAT64) is walked through. He shows this allows and IPv4 address to be mapped to a IPv6 address and vice versa to allow coexisting IPv4 and IPv6 networks to communicate.
 
One of the most substantial changes from IPv4 to IPv6 is the addresses and their types. After introducing hexadecimal and the address format short hands, Graziani explains well the structure of the new 128-bit address: prefix, subnet, and interface id.
After trying others – THIS is THE BOOK!
By John Scott on March 22, 2013
The review written by Cosmic Traveler says it well. I purchased 2 other books before this one and they both ended up on the bottom shelf of my bookshelf. I ordered this one and I couldn’t put it down. If the mere thought of a 128-bit address represented in hexadecimal format makes your hair stand up, you need to order this book and then go have a glass of wine – or a cold beer.
IPv6
By Matthew Petersen on February 14, 2014
To support future business continuity, growth, and innovation, organizations must transition to IPv6, the next generation protocol for defining how computers communicate over networks. IPv6 Fundamentals provides a thorough yet easy-to-understand introduction to the new knowledge and skills network professionals and students need to deploy and manage IPv6 networks.
Excellent book, highly recommended!
By MSG causes migraines on October 15, 2013
Even though I have been a CCIE since the 1990s and have dealt with IPv6 successfully on the re-certification exams, this book added a lot of needed clarity on the context and usage of IPv6 so the concepts are more readily absorbed and made intuitive. For those network engineers not yet exposed to IPv6 due to their individual customer/employer situations, it is a near-term reality everyone is going to have to deal with as the IPv4 private addressing RFC 1918 (and the updated IPv4 content in RFC 6761) cannot eliminate the reality that IPv4 is nearing address depletion.
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UNDERSTANDING IPV6!!!
By COSMIC TRAVELER on November 17, 2012
Are you a network engineer; network designer; network technician; part of the technical staff; and, networking student, including those of the Cisco Networking Academy; who are seeking a solid understanding of the fundamentals of IPv6? If you are, then this book is for you! Author Rick Graziani, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that focuses on the basics of IPv6.
Author Graziani, begins by discussing how the Internet of today requires a new network layer protocol, Ipv6, to meet the demands of its users. Then, the author examines the Ipv6 protocol and its fields. Next, he introduces IPv6 addressing and address types. The author continues by examining the different types of IPv6 addresses in detail. Then, he examines ICMPv6. The author then illustrates the configuration of IPv6, addressing the use of a common topology. Next, he examines the IPv6 routing table and changes in the configurations pertaining to IPv6. The author continues by discussing three routing protocols: RIPng, EIGRP for IPv6 and OSPFv3. Then, he examines DHCP for IPv6 or DHCPv6. The author then covers two of three strategies for IPv4 and IPv6 integration and coexistence: dual-stack and tunneling. Finally, he discusses the third technique for transition from IPv4 and IPv6: Network Address Translation or NAT.
This most excellent book provides a thorough yet easy-to-understand introduction to IPv6. More importantly, this great book is also intended to provide a foundation in IPv6 that will allow you to build on it.
Great book to begin IPv6 study
By Cord Scott on March 22, 2013
Really like this book. Information is accurate and concise and concentrates on the protocol and not just how to configure Cisco gear for IPv6, which is what too many people look for. Not a whole lot on migration but Cisco Press has another book that deals with that.
Everyone should start IPv6 with this book
By Andras Dosztal on May 13, 2013
Detailed but still easy to understand, having a good balance of theory and practical knowledge. Up to date, covers all topics needed for someone who’s getting familiar with IPv6. Having prior IPv4 and routing knowledge is recommended.

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Assigned Numbers: RFC 1700 is Replaced by an On-line Database

Status of this Memo
   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002).  All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
   This memo obsoletes RFC 1700 (STD 2) "Assigned Numbers", which
   contained an October 1994 snapshot of assigned Internet protocol
   parameters.
Description
   From November 1977 through October 1994, the Internet Assigned
   Numbers Authority (IANA) periodically published tables of the
   Internet protocol parameter assignments in RFCs entitled, "Assigned
   Numbers".  The most current of these Assigned Numbers RFCs had
   Standard status and carried the designation: STD 2.  At this time,
   the latest STD 2 is RFC 1700.
   Since 1994, this sequence of RFCs have been replaced by an online
   database accessible through a web page (currently, www.iana.org).
   The purpose of the present RFC is to note this fact and to officially
   obsolete RFC 1700, whose status changes to Historic.  RFC 1700 is
   obsolete, and its values are incomplete and in some cases may be
   wrong.
   We expect this series to be revived in the future by the new IANA
   organization.
Security Considerations
   This memo does not affect the technical security of the Internet.
Reynolds                     Informational                      [Page 1]

 
RFC 3232         RFC 1700 Replaced by On-line Database      January 2002
Author's Address
   Joyce K. Reynolds
   RFC Editor
   4676 Admiralty Way
   Marina del Rey, CA  90292
   USA
   EMail: rfc-editor@rfc-editor.org

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