Hurricane Electric LLC

When Hurricane Electric launched its free IPv6 tunnel broker service, they weren't just offering connectivity — they were building the future of the internet. While other providers focused on maintaining their IPv4 infrastructure, Hurricane Electric went all-in on IPv6, creating what would become the world's largest IPv6 backbone. Today, they connect to over 9,600 different networks across more than 320 major exchange points, making them a critical piece of internet infrastructure that most people never see but everyone uses.

What sets Hurricane Electric apart isn't just their size — it's their approach. They operate their own global fiber-optic network with redundant 100G paths crossing continents, from five separate connections between the US and Europe to rings spanning Asia and Africa. This isn't a company that leases capacity from others; they own and operate the physical infrastructure that keeps the internet running.

Their IPv6 tunnel broker service exemplifies their technical leadership. With over 52,760 provisioned tunnels spanning 174 countries, they've made IPv6 accessible to networks and individuals worldwide who couldn't otherwise connect to the modern internet. The service was revolutionary when launched — providing free 6in4 IPv6 transition mechanisms at a time when most providers were dragging their feet on IPv6 adoption.

But Hurricane Electric isn't just about IPv6. They offer comprehensive internet transit services, colocation in their Fremont data centers, dedicated servers, and web hosting. Their IP transit solutions work across both IPv4 and IPv6 on the same connection, with speeds from gigabit ethernet up to 100GE. For organizations that need reliable, high-performance internet connectivity, Hurricane Electric provides the backbone infrastructure that major networks depend on.

The company also runs an extensive IPv6 certification program that has educated thousands of network professionals. Over 21,500 individuals across 164 countries have reached the highest certification level, making Hurricane Electric not just an infrastructure provider but an educator advancing IPv6 adoption globally.

From their headquarters in Fremont, California, Hurricane Electric continues expanding their global footprint. Their newest 200,000 square-foot data center facility represents their ongoing investment in physical infrastructure. While other companies chase software-defined networking trends, Hurricane Electric focuses on what the internet actually runs on: fiber, hardware, and the physical connections that make digital communication possible.