NetBSD powers TCP satellite research at NASA Lewis and IPv6/IPsec work by KAME
NASA Lewis Research Center's Satellite Networks and Architectures Branch relies almost entirely on NetBSD to test proposed TCP protocol changes, including selective-acknowledgement retransmission and larger initial windows, for both satellite and terrestrial links. Separately, the KAME project used NetBSD as the base for implementing IPv6 and IPsec, with its stack merged into NetBSD-current in June 1999, while Germany's Institute for Media Communication built network access control tools on the OS.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These projects show NetBSD's role as a research platform where experimental networking protocols are tested before wider adoption, including collaboration with IETF working groups shaping internet standards. The KAME merger in particular helped bring IPv6 and IPsec support into mainstream BSD systems, influencing broader internet infrastructure.
- NASA Lewis uses NetBSD almost exclusively to test TCP enhancements for satellite communication.
- KAME's IPv6/IPsec implementation was merged into NetBSD-current in June 1999.
- IMK's Value-added Solutions group built network access control features on NetBSD.
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B — NetBSD is famous for running on just about everything, and the Raspberry Pi 4 is one of the easiest, cheapest boards to actually try it on. It's a great little machine for hands-on networking and TCP experiments like the ones described here, and you can leave it humming away as a dedicated research node.
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Published there as: “Research carried out using NetBSD”
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