Internet Protocol Version 6 (IP Version 6, or IPv6) is the next-generation protocol designed by the IETF to replace IPv4. It is defined in RFC 2460.
IPv6's primary difference from IPv4 is that it supports a greater number of IP addresses, in order to meet the demand from internet-capable devices in the future. It also provides better support for mobile IP and for network security. It is generally accepted that current networks will take time to adapt to IPv6, so IPv4 and IPv6 are likely to co-exist for some years.
IPv6 versus IPv4
The main advantages of IPv6 versus IPv4 are as follows.
- IPv6 addresses have increased in length to 128 bits, in order to handle the increased demand for IP addresses. This also solves the problems caused by the allocation of the IPv4 address space, allowing more efficient and scalable routing.
- The IPv6 header has been shortened and rationalized, with IP options moved to a set of optional extension headers.
- IPv6 offers increased support for mobile IP, using new IPv6 header, Neighbor Discovery, and Stateless Address Autoconfiguration features.
- IP security features (IPSec), including authentication and data encryption, are an inbuilt part of the IPv6 protocol.
Upgrading from IPv4 to IPv6
Whether our customers are upgrading from Data Connection or third party IPv4 solutions, we ensure a smooth and rapid transition to IPv6. Our modular and portable architecture will enable our customers to add Data Connection IPv6 implementations regardless of the hardware and software architecture utilized. As part of our normal support procedure, our highly experienced engineers will work with your development team to meet your engineering goals on time. Furthermore, at no additional maintenance expense, we will support multiple versions of our software (IPv4 and IPv6, for example) in your lab and field releases.
Data Connection and IPv6
The following Data Connection products support both IPv4 and IPv6.
- IP Routing - Unicast: DC-BGP, DC-ISIS, DC-OSPF, DC-RTM, DC-RIP, DC-CSPF
- IP Routing - Multicast: DC-PIM
- MPLS: DC-LDP, DC-RSVP
- VoIP / IMS: DC-Megaco/H.248, DC-SIP, DC-Diameter
Data Connection's implementation of IPv6 has comprehensive support for the relevant standards, with management interfaces and a design suited for the most demanding applications. Further details are provided below.
IPv6 Protocol Function
Data Connection supports the following IPv6 protocol function.
- DC-BGP
- BGP-4 Multi-protocol extensions for IPv6 Inter-Domain Routing (RFC 2545)
- DC-ISIS
- Routing IPv6 with IS-IS (draft-ietf-isis-ipv6)
- IPv6 Traffic Engineering in IS-IS (draft-ietf-isis-ipv6-te)
- DC-OSPF
- OSPFv3 (RFC 2740)
- OSPF Not-So-Stubby-Area (NSSA) Option (RFC 3101)
- DC-RIP
- RIPng (RFC 2080)
- DC-RTM
- Creates routing tables for IPv4 or IPv6 addresses
- DC-CSPF
- Calculates constrained routes for IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
- DC-PIM
- Protocol Independent Multicast (RFC 4601)
- DC-LDP
- LDP (RFC 3036)
- DC-RSVP
- RSVP-TE (RFC 3209)
- DC-Megaco/H.248
- Gateway Control Protocol (RFC 3525)
- DC-SIP
- SIP (RFC 3261)
- DC-Diameter
- Diameter (RFC 3588)
Management and Integration
Data Connection supports the following IPv6 MIB functions.
- Fully MIB manageable
- Support for OSPFv3 MIB (draft-ietf-ospf-ospfv3-mib)
- Support for IS-IS MIB (draft-ietf-isis-wg-mib)
- Support for TE-MIB (RFC 3812)
- Support for LSR-MIB (RFC 3813)
- Support for LDP-MIB (RFC 3815)
- Easily integrated with SNMP, CORBA, CMIP, Web and other management tools
- Pre-integrated CLI, XML/Web and SNMP management interfaces available through embeddedMIND from Silicon & Software Systems (S3)
Carrier Class Design
Data Connection's IPv6-enabled routing components were designed and developed by the same engineering professionals who delivered Data Connection's highly scalable and fault-tolerant VoIP, MPLS, SBC, ATM, Web Conferencing, Unified Messaging, SNA, and Class 5 Softswitch (MetaSwitch) products. These products are built on the same carrier class foundation.
For more information about Data Connection's IPv6 support and expertise contact .