Q: What are the basic requirements to join HKIX?
A: We accept local participants with proper licenses issued by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, local or international research, education or academic networks and international network services providers and Internet exchanges that warrant not conducting competing ISP business in Hong Kong. Please check out our requirements carefully before submit your application to HKIX NOC.
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Q: Is there any set up charge or monthly fee at HKIX?
A: HKIX is free for basic set up provided that you MUST fulfil our requirements and agree with our guidelines and policies. You only have to pay your local loop provider for the leased circuit(s) to HKIX. HKIX would NOT charge any for our services and switch ports provided by HKIX.
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Q: How do I make the application?
A: Please take a look at our web page and reply an email saying that your company with SBO/PNETS License #xxx fulfil the requirements and agree with the guidelines and policies stated at http://www.hkix.net/hkix/policies.htm. If you are oversea company and do not obtain a local license in Hong Kong, please send your company profile and confirm via email that your company will not conduct competing ISP business in Hong Kong. We will send you information about how to make the connection after receiving your email.
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Q: What kind of connections supported on HKIX switches?
A: We support copper GE/FE/10Mbps Ethernet directly connected to our switches. For 10GE connection, we only support single-mode fibers with LC connectors at HKIX and you will need to sign an agreement with HKIX for advanced set up. Please refer to our connection guidelines for details.
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Q: When do I need to sign an agreement with HKIX?
A: HKIX does NOT charge for basic set up, for example, the first 2 GE to each HKIX site and you do NOT need to sign the agreement. However if you have more than 2 GE to either site or request for a 10G connection, you will need to sign an agreement with us for ALL your connections at HKIX. The mandatory agreement will ensure our limited resources not being abused by the participant.
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Q: Can HKIX support link aggregation?
A: Yes, we support LACP link aggregation on HKIX1/CUHK. Your router must support “LACP mode active” or equivalent commands in order to set up the port-channel with HKIX. Please make sure that your local loop provider also supports passing through of LACP protocol over the local loop circuit.
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Q: Can I put my router in HKIX?
A: Most of HKIX participants do NOT need to place their routers in HKIX. They can order a long distance Ethernet cable from their local loop provider to connect with HKIX. We only accept critical Internet infrastructure and services (i.e. root or TLD nameservers) to colocate in HKIX.
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Q: Can HKIX support IPv6?
A: Yes, we support IPv6 on HKIX route servers. You router must support dual-stack in order to configure IPv6 on your existing connection(s) to HKIX. HKIX will assign the corresponding IPv6 address for you to set up BGP peering with HKIX route servers.
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Q: Can HKIX support 4-Byte AS numbers?
A: Yes, HKIX has two route servers, RS1 and RS2. Both of them supported native 4-Byte AS numbers since July, 2010.
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Q: Can I do bi-lateral peering over HKIX?
A: Yes, you can do bi-lateral peering over HKIX. You are encouraged to update your peering record and peering policy in www.peeringDB.com. Please refer to the information in database for sending your invitations to set up bi-lateral peering with other HKIX participants over the layer 2 infrastructure of HKIX.
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Q: What kinds of support will be provided by HKIX?
A: Our NOC provides 7x24 operational support to our participants, for examples, urgent access from local loop providers, disable port security checking on HKIX switches and remote hands/eyes for co-located participants. However for technical support such as connection set up and network trouble shooting, please contact our technical team during normal working hours.
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Q: Are there any security measures for site access to HKIX?
A: Yes, all visitors must be registered on the registration counter and submitted site access application to HKIX NOC in advance. All ad-hoc access to HKIX Data Centre will be prohibited. For equipment move in/out, HKIX participants need to complete the form and notify HKIX NOC in advance. If the goods will be delivered by shipping company, please make sure all necessary documents and proper import licenses have been cleared before shipping the equipment to HKIX Data Centre.
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Q: How can I check the route filter or maximum prefix limit (if applicable) on HKIX route servers?
A: Please use our looking glass. To check the IPv4 route filter, please select “Access filters” and enter your HKIX peering address. To check the maximum IPv4 prefix limit (if applicable) / IPv6 prefix limit, please select “IP BGP session” and enter your HKIX peering address. The query result includes the message “Maximum prefixes allowed” followed by the maximum prefix limit, if applicable.
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Q: How can I update the route filter or adjust the maximum prefix limit (if applicable) on HKIX route servers?
A: You are advised to check the existing filter by our looking glass firstly. If you need to update the IPv4 filter, please submit request at our web agent. To check the ticket status of your submitted filter update request, please visit here. For IPv6, you need NOT to update filter on HKIX route servers. There is bogon IPv6 filter implemented on the route servers. If you need to adjust the maximum prefix limit (if applicable), please send email to our NOC for the request with at least 3 working days prior notice. For details of route policies, please visit here.
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Q: Should I disable proxy arp on my router interface?
A: Yes, you must DISABLE proxy arp on your router interface towards HKIX at all times. You may need to explicitly issue command in order to DISABLE proxy arp. Please check with your equipment vendor if you are not sure about such setting on your equipment.
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Q: Do I need to inform HKIX if I changed the router / router interface?
A: Yes, we have port security applied on our switch ports toward the participant routers. You need to inform our NOC if you have any change of the router MAC address.
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Q: Do I need to inform HKIX if I will carry out maintenance?
A: Yes, this is the best practice to inform HKIX if you / your local loop provider will carry out maintenance that will affect your HKIX connection(s). Please inform our NOC in advance of the maintenance start & end time, your HKIX IP address(es) concerned, whether or not your router MAC address will change, expected downtime & impact. HKIX NOC will keep track of the records and handle the alerts corresponding to your HKIX connection(s) during the maintenance.
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Q: What precautions should I take for maintenance?
A: You are recommended that before you / your local loop provider carry out maintenance, please disconnect your leased circuit from HKIX network to prevent HKIX network from being affected. Please ensure that your network, your equipment and your leased circuit are normal before you / your local loop provider re-connect the leased circuit to HKIX network. Please remind your local loop provider of the precautions if they will carry out maintenance on your leased circuit.
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If you have any further questions, please feel free to email us.
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