About 'The MFN Project'

What is ‘The MFN Project’?

The project is the end result of a very loose knit group of computer and networking hobbyist. We work together to bring IPv6 connectivity to other hobbyist homelabs and devices, making things such as port forwarding and direct connectivity easier to access and deploy. We run Marbled Fennec Networks, a space for learning and working together.

Why do y’all do this?

To learn new skills relating to IT and ISP tech, to practice building and maintaining computer networks, to apply our skills and make the IPv6 internet more accessible. But mostly, we run the project just for fun. Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew, sometimes subprojects get abandoned or shutdown and sometimes things go the way we intended them to do. It is all about having fun and learning while doing so.

The whole idea is that Marbled Fennec Networks will try to provide a space that can get accepted members connected to the greater IPv6 internet and they then can learn and experiment with networking within their homelab.

Do you accept just anyone?

It is not that simple. Our resources and time are limited, so we tend to limit who and what we accept into our project and network. Anyone can make an application through the support desk, but that doesn't mean you'll be accepted in. We have to be mindful of current server load, network bandwidth and ability of our volunteer staff to keep up with everyone.

Whats the cost?

For members of the project, nothing. We don’t sell bandwidth or hosting; we don’t provide support beyond getting end users up and running on our network and we don’t have much overhead because our project runs on a purely volunteer handled basis.

For the project’s core group, we foot the operational cost of MFN ourselves, usually taking turns every month or two to front the cost of keeping the lights on. At the end of the day, The MFN Project only exist because we want it to and we put in the effort to keep it going.

What about reliability of your network?

The MFN Project is not a commercial company or a commercially sponsored project. We have maybe two or three volunteer staff on a good day handling tickets, creating/modifying connection profiles, working on routing, keeping the firewall in check and so on. If you need a service provider who has pure uptime and commercial stability in mind; you need to look elsewhere, just being very up front about this.

For most homelab users, our network will likely do okay for getting their services/VMs publicly accessible. We deliver IPv6 connectivity just for that purpose. Bandwidth might be a little limited, but hey, at the end of the day..folks get online even if they are behind a 5G, LTE or otherwise limited configurable internet connection.

While our volunteer staff and network moderators do strive for quick turn around on tickets and emails, fast connections for new members and firewall setup for homelabs; all of our volunteer staff have lives outside of the project that come first. Again, we do this for fun. Not for a profit.

Something else to keep in mind is that because our time for moderation and project related task is limited; we tend to be choosy about which service applications we approve and work with. We cannot simply accept everyone onto our network. We have a limited set of resources such as moderation staff, bandwidth and server hardware.

…And the purpose of all this is?

For those involved in our project to learn, grow and have fun. I guess you could say it is one of those “because we could” kind of things. Hopefully the project survives for a little while longer this time around. We tend to come and go, as the finances aren't always there to keep everything together.

Will y'all be here tomorrow?

We can't make any promises, but we always try to survive another month. It depends on having enough volunteer staff members to keep everything updated and running; as well as having the financing from our core members to keep the lights on. I'd like to say "Yes! We'll be here until we burn out!" but in all honesty with you, the project's wake takes a slow toll on various folks play money. We'll do our best to keep marching forward for as long as the money is there to do so.