A Scenario-Based Review of IPv6 Transition Tools

Momentum for IPv6 transition is on the rise, and many transition tools and techniques are available to ISPs, enterprise networks, and unmanaged networks. T he rationale for introducing IPv6 is beginning to sway many network providers in commercial and research environments. 1 Among IPv6's unique benefits over IPv4 are increased address space, simpler " plug and play, " network security, and improved mobility support. 2 These benefits are interrelated. Increased address space lets networks globally address more and new types of devices, which removes the need for network address translation (NAT). In turn, this restores the Internet's original end-to-end principle, allowing host-to-host IPsec and novel services to run into networks previously " hidden " behind NAT boxes. Peer-to-peer applications and ad hoc and mobile networking will all benefit from IPv6 deployment. Commercially supported IPv6 software, including operating systems and popular applications, is now available from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Sun. In Europe, the European Commission sees IPv6 introduction as key to its 2005 e-Europe Action Plan. Several EU Information Society Technologies' (IST) IPv6 projects, including 6NET (www.6net.org) and Euro6IX (www.euro6ix.org), are examining how to deploy and support IPv6 in academic and commercial settings. There is also significant IPv6 work going on in the US and Asia. 3 We can consider the challenge of introducing IPv6 from two angles. First, when introducing a new " native " IPv6 network, we clearly must ensure that all components (network devices, host operating systems, applications , and so on) support the new protocol. Second, when introducing IPv6 to an existing IPv4 infrastructure, we must have transitioning mechanisms that enable the protocol's seamless introduction , minimizing any impact on existing network users. The Internet Engineering Task Force recently established the IPv6 Operations (v6ops) working group (www.ietf.org/html.charters/v6ops-charter. html) to supersede the next-generation transition (ngtrans) working group. The v6ops group will be looking at four major IPv6 deployment scenarios: ISPs, cellular networks, enterprise networks (including universities), and unmanaged networks (such as those found in homes or small offices). Here, we offer an overview of the potential migration scenarios facing three of these groups (excluding cellular networks), and the transitioning mechanisms available to them. The IETF has been developing IPv6 protocols for more than six years. The ngtrans working group developed many tools aimed at assisting IPv6's introduction, offering a " transitioning toolbox " for operators migrating to IPv6. More recently, v6ops' work …