Internet Protocol Version 6
IPv6, the next-generation Internet protocol, is one of the current big technological developments in the world of networked communications.
An important objective during the third year of the GÉANT project was the development and implementation of IPv6 services on the GÉANT network. This has been achieved within an ambitious timeframe in recognition of the importance of adopting the new network protocol. GÉANT now offers a dual stack core IPv6 backbone based on Juniper M160 and M40 and Cisco 7500 routers.
The development of IPv6 services means that, together with several of its counterparts in other regions of the world, GÉANT now forms part of the world’s first next-generation Internet network with global reach.
The introduction of IPv6 services on GÉANT began with a 6-month pilot phase, which started in April 2003. During this time GÉANT was capable of delivering IPv6 service. NRENs and projects were connected to the IPv6 service as and when they were ready to do so.
The first NRENs to be connected to GÉANT IPv6 were RedIRIS (Spain) and RENATER (France), in April 2003. By September 2003, when the pilot phase ended, the majority of the IPv6-enabled European NRENs, and also Abilene, were connected, with all but four NRENs plus CANARIE and SINET being connected by August 2004. The present IPv6 status of networks is available from the link in the left-hand menu.
The network’s stability and reliability were carefully monitored during the pilot phase using dedicated IPv6 monitoring tools, with any necessary debugging being performed. The pilot phase also served to define the operating procedures required for production service. More details of the design and implementation of IPv6 services can be found in this section via the links in the left-hand menu.
GÉANT entered operational IPv6 service in October 2003. The GÉANT IPv6 service has benefited from the same level of support as the IPv4 service, and similar levels of reliability may be expected. In February 2004, tests began with a view to developing an IPv6 multicast service. A multicast IPv6 Task Force was created to collaborate with NRENs on deployment. RENATER, SWITCH, UNINETT and FCCN have all actively participated in this Task Force.
It is expected in future that work will be done on extending IPv6 connections outside the GÉANT core and towards international networks, as well as on advanced features such as multicast, advanced monitoring and more sophisticated security measures.
Further details of the rollout and operation of IPv6 services on GÉANT can be viewed in Deliverables D30.1, (Implementation and Rollout Plan for IPv6), D30.2 (Pre-production IPv6 Service on GÉANT) and D30.3 (IPv6 Developments in GÉANT in Year 4), which are available via the links alongside.
