Q: What are the basic requirements to join HKIX?
A: Please read our Main Policies page carefully before submitting your application to HKIX.
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Q: Is there any set up charge or monthly fee at HKIX?
A: Please refer to HKIX Charge Table.
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Q: How do I make the application?
A: Please take a look at our Main Policies page and reply an email saying that your company fulfils the requirements and agrees with the policies and guidelines stated. 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/10GE/100GE directly connected to our switches. You will need to sign an agreement with HKIX for 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: 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 any participant.
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Q: Can HKIX support link aggregation?
A: Yes, we support LACP link aggregation on HKIX. 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 (e.g. 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: If I need to set maximum prefix limit on my routers for receiving routes from HKIX (AS4635) MLPA route servers, what is the suggested value?
A: The numbers of MLPA prefixes (both IPv4 and IPv6) are trending increasing. In case you need to set maximum prefix limits on your routers, you should regularly observe the prefixes numbers at http://www.hkix.net/hkix/stat/aggt/hkix-pfxrcd.html and increase your limits (if any) when necessary. Suggested prefix limit on your routers (if you need to set so) is at least (monthly 2-hr average) / 0.7.
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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: What types of traffic are allowed on HKIX peering LAN?
A: There are only three (3) types of traffic allowed on HKIX:
- 0x0800 - IPv4
- 0x0806 - ARP
- 0x86dd - IPv6
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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 HKIX participant routers. You need to inform our NOC for the NEW MAC address if you have any change of the router MAC address. HKIX NOC will confirm the NEW MAC address with you before updating the system.
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Q: How does the Port Security Update work?
A: During Port Security update, both NEW MAC address (Pending Secure MAC) and OLD MAC address (Current Secure MAC) will work simultaneously. The Old MAC address (Current Secure MAC) will be removed from Port Security at 1100 HKT (UTC+8) T+2 days AFTER the NEW MAC address added to the system. (If the new MAC address added after 0900, T will be the next calendar day). Our system will send you the reminders before and after the scheduled OLD MAC address removal time.
If you would like to cancel the change after submission of the NEW MAC address to HKIX NOC, please inform our NOC as soon as possible. Otherwise, your Current MAC address will be replaced by the NEW 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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Satellite Sites
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Q: Why does HKIX want to do this?
A:The primary goal is to help existing and potential HKIX participants connect to HKIX more easily and at a lower cost. It will help HKIX expand further while it will help those data centers which are satellite site operators get more business locally and from overseas. Hence, it can help solidify Hong Kong’s position as Internet hub and data center hub in Asia Pacific.
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Q: Will there be any impact to HKIX participants?
A:The setting up of multiple satellite sites will not cause any impact to HKIX participants. Instead, HKIX participants will have more choices for their colocation requirements while their connections to HKIX will be at a lower cost. This satellite site arrangement will create win-win situation among HKIX, satellite site operators and HKIX participants.
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Q: What is the planned total number of satellite sites?
A:There is no planned total number for satellite sites at the moment. It is all subject to the availability of budget and resources of HKIX. Besides, the arrangement may be adjusted from time to time after regular review. In any case, the two core sites of HKIX (HKIX1 and HKIX1b sites) will continue to serve participants directly.
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Q: Is connecting to these satellite sites the same as other HKIX sites?
A:All satellite sites are connected to the two core sites of HKIX (HKIX1 & HKIX1b sites) with proper resilience. It is the same HKIX layer-2 network everywhere. All the network equipment is managed by the same HKIX Team. HKIX participants can enjoy the same connectivity and the same services, and they can make easy interconnections with all other HKIX participants across all sites as they wish.
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Q: Why is there “Special Connection Charge” when connecting to satellite sites?
A:The high-speed circuits linking up satellite sites to the two core sites with proper resilience are being provided by the corresponding satellite site operators. The “Special Connection Charge” is needed for compensating their cost involved in providing the circuits.
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Q: Can I connect to satellite sites remotely from other data centers with local circuits?
A:The satellite sites are more for serving the direct or indirect customers of the corresponding data centers which are satellite site operators, especially as they need to collect the “Special Connection Charge” for compensating their cost involved in providing the circuits linking up to the two core sites. If you are not the direct or indirect customer of any of the satellite site operators, you need to make your own judgement whether it is justified to connect to those satellite sites but not the two core sites as there is extra “Special Connect Charge” involved. Bear in mind that there is no “Special Connection Charge” when connecting to the two core sites (HKIX1 & HKIX1b sites) but of course you still need to pay for the local circuits involved.
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Q: Can I receive same IPv4 and IPv6 routes as HKIX core sites?
A: Yes, HKIX participants of satellite sites receive same IPv4 and IPv6 routes as HKIX participants of HKIX core sites.
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HKIX-R&E Node
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Q: What is HKIX-R&E node?
A:It can be called HKIX-R&E node or HKIX-R&E switch. HKIX-R&E is NOT a satellite site of HKIX. It is a special node or a special access switch of HKIX serving R&E (Research & Education) networks ONLY. It is part of HKIX as it is connected back to the two core sites of HKIX with resilience. It helps HKIX test out new advanced features (e.g. VLAN trunks, VLAN translation, jumbo frame and so on) before serving usual HKIX participants. R&E networks may connect to other access switches of HKIX outside of HKIX-R&E node but they may or may not enjoy the same advanced features as HKIX-R&E node.
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Q: What is the main purpose of HKIX-R&E node?
A: The main purpose of HKIX-R&E node is to facilitate those R&E (Research & Education) Networks having presence in Hong Kong to do interconnections among themselves and with commercial networks more easily and at a lower cost. It can help solidify Hong Kong’s position as R&E network hub in Asia Pacific.
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If you have any further questions, please feel free to email us.
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