IPv6 for Enterprise Networks

Enterprise Edge Network Design (IPv6)

The enterprise edge module includes the Internet, Virtual Private Network (VPN), and WAN modules that connect the enterprise to a service provider network. The enterprise edge contains all the network elements for efficient and secure communication between the enterprise campus, data center and remote locations, business partners, mobile users, and the Internet. The edge module […]

Native IPv6

This topic covers the following objectives: ■ Native IPv6: This section is for the green field deployment and covers the native IPv6 deployment. ■ Transition mechanisms: This section covers dual-stack (IPv4/IPv6 coexistence), IPv6 over IPv4 tunnels, and IPv6 over MPLS. ■ Protocol translation/proxy mechanisms: This section describes the translation mechanisms generally referred to by the […]

Transition Mechanisms (IPv6) Part 1

As the name suggests, transition mechanisms help in the transition from one protocol to another. In the perspective of IPv6, transition basically means moving from IPv4 to IPv6. One day, IPv6 networks will completely replace today’s IPv4 networks. For the near term, a number of transition mechanisms are required to enable both protocols to operate […]

Transition Mechanisms (IPv6) Part 2

6to4 Tunnel The 6to4 tunnel, specified in RFC 3056, "Connection of IPv6 Domains via IPv4 Clouds," is an automatic tunneling mechanism, which is typically implemented on border routers. The 6to4 tunnel mechanism doesn’t require any explicit configuration and uses the IPv4 infrastructure like a virtual broadcast link. The tunnel destination is the embedded IPv4 address […]

Protocol Translation/Proxy Mechanisms (IPv6)

There are use cases that might require the ability to translate or proxy between IPv4 and IPv6. For example, translation in the data center is necessary to enable communication between IPv6-enabled hosts in the campus/branch and legacy IPv4-only servers in the data center access layer. An intermediate device or node (for example, router, firewall, or […]

Multicast (IPv6)

This topic covers the following subjects: ■ Multicast: This section discusses how multicast is configured in IPv6. Multicast addressing introduces the effectiveness of the IPv6 addressing format. Different IPv6 multicast routing methods is also discussed in this section. ■ Quality of service (QoS): This section highlights key differences between IPv4 and IPv6 implementations of QoS […]

Quality of Service (QoS) (IPv6)

The enterprise networks of today are designed to be complex global communications infrastructures. These networks are the platform to enable a multitude of applications and services. QoS protocols have the task of providing different application streams with priorities and metrics such as ■ Bandwidth ■ Delay ■ Interpacket delay variation (jitter) ■ Packet loss The […]

IPv6 Routing

Numerous IPv4 routing protocols (RP) are available for finding routes between networks, and almost every one of them has an IPv6 correspondent or extension: Routing Information Protocol next-generation (RIPng), Open Shortest Path First version 3 (OSPFv3), Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS), and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP). Although an in-depth analysis of routing protocols is […]

Determining Where to Begin (IPv6)

The topic covers the following topics: ■ Determining where to begin: An enterprise needs to analyze the benefits, costs, risks, and other business factors and technology considerations that, together, all help determine the initial starting point. ■ Planning a pilot: The pilot phase of an IPv6 deployment is crucial because it exposes training, equipment, design, […]

Planning a Pilot (IPv6)

When introducing a new technology such as IPv6, which is responsible for the underlying connectivity for enterprise applications, it is wise to start a pilot/trial in a lab environment. Testing in a lab environment that mirrors the actual network can help you better understand IPv6 and gain confidence in its potential success in the enterprise […]

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