Unix Tipz & Tricz

Introduction

IPv4 (or IP, as it is known) is the basis of the TCP/IP communication protocols which are used to transport data, voice and video packets over the Internet. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the next generation network protocol which has been standardized to replace the current Internet protocol version 4. It holds great promise to be the backbone of the next generation Internet and offer a significant improvement over IPv4 in terms of scalability, security, mobility

and convergence. The basic framework of the IPv6 protocol was standardized by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) in the 1990s. However, there is still ongoing development of certain advanced aspects of the protocol.

This paper provides an introduction to IPv6 by discussing the potential business benefits resulting from deploying IPv6 technology. To understand how we get these benefits, we look into some of the technical features and advantages of IPv6. We then look at the transition mechanisms developed to enable a seamless migration from IPv4 to IPv6. Finally, we analyze some deployment issues and strategies to prepare an adoption plan for deploying IPv6 in an enterprise.

Benefits from IPv6

The new features of IPv6 result in a number of business benefits:

o Lower network administration costs: The auto-configuration and hierarchical addressing features of IPv6 will make networks easy to manage.

o Optimized for next generation networks: Getting rid of NAT re-enables the peer-to-peer model and helps in deploying new applications. E.g. communications and mobility solutions such as VoIP

o Protection of company assets: Integrated IPSEC makes IPv6 inherently secure and provides for a unified security strategy for the entire network.

o Investment protection: The transition and translation suite of protocols helps in easy and planned migration from IPv4 and IPv6, while allowing for co-existence in the transition phase.

IPv6 Technology Features and Benefits

Let us look at what technical features IPv6 adds beyond IPv4 and what benefits they provide:

1.       Larger number of addresses

IPv6 has 128 bit addresses, as compared to 32 bits for IPv4 addresses. This results in a very large increase in the number of IP addresses available and has a number of advantages. It gets rid of scenarios where there is an IP address scarcity and NAT needs to be deployed to fix the issue. Getting rid of NAT results in a simplified network configuration and it reduced hardware and software complexity. The large number of IPv6 addresses also helps in the future vision of a

networked home where various appliances and gadgets in a home will be networked and manageable over the Internet. The increasing deployment of wireless and mobile devices will also not be cramped by IP address scarcity issues.

2.       End-to-end connectivity

IPv4 needed NAT in certain situations in order to conserve scarce IP addresses. Unfortunately, NAT does not work well with peer-to-peer applications like VoIP. IPv6 eliminates the need for NAT and thus restores end-to-end connectivity. As a result, peer-to-peer applications work well with IPv6. Also, certain higher layer protocols like FTP have a similar issue with NAT and need specialized software to work through NAT. Such application protocols like FTP can be enabled

much more easily with IPv6.

3.       Efficient routing

IPv6 has a more streamlined header as compared to IPv4. This reduces the processing overhead for routers resulting in less hardware complexity and faster packet processing. Also, hierarchical addressing in IPv6 allows for proper address space allocation resulting in smaller routing tables and more efficient routing in the overall network. It also makes it easier for network administrators to assign/track addresses.

4.       Auto-configuration

IPv6 provides auto-configuration of IP addresses on IPv6-enabled devices. This greatly improves scalability and manageability of networks. New devices can be directly connected to the network without manually configuring IP addresses or having a DHCP server. Also, administrators can easily migrate a large number of devices from one network to another.

5.       Security

IPv6 makes IPSEC mandatory, thus providing a solid security framework for Internet communication. IPSEC can be used to implement both encryption and authentication. A number of IPv4 implementations do not enable IPSEC, thus resulting in less security.

6.       Mobility and multicast enhancements

IPv6 provides further enhancements for mobile IPv6 which helps with today’s wireless networks. The addition of scope field for multicast has improved the framework for multicast traffic. Also, the IPv6 anycast address type can be used for efficient host location.