Because of its flexibility and programmable features, the 6100 series allows ISP operators to deploy IPv6 services gradually.

by Jim Thompson [August 14, 2002]

Moving from IPv4 to IPv6 is not easy. The larger addressing system requires a new set of technical skills, but in addition to that, many of the tools needed for a smooth transition have not been available. 6WIND, a company based in France that specializes in IPv4-to-IPv6 migration tools, has made that transition a bit easier with a new router.

The company claims that the 6WINDGate 6100 Series IPv4/IPv6 Branch Office Router (below), "is the first product that integrates both v4 and v6 protocol versions and is specifically designed to allow operators and ISPs to offer effective solutions for high speed access to enterprises ."

The company believes that in order to guarantee quality of service (QoS) throughout the entire infrastructure, the provider needs to control traffic at the entrance of the network. This means implementing control at the boundary between the local area network (LAN) and the wide area network (WAN).

In their view, although adding control within existing concentration routers does significantly impact performance, it's preferable to perform the control with equipment at the customer's location.

6WIND also believes that in order for IPv6 to finally emerge, it must be transparent to both IPv4 and existing applications. The company sees the 6WINDGates as providing the interoperability management mechanisms at the critical boundary between IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

Full service set
The router is significant because it integrates in a single unit most of the features needed to provide a full set of IPv4 and IPv6 services. This includes QoS management for priority routing for critical applications like voice over IP (VoIP) and video, along with Internet protocol (IP) mobility, and multicasting.

The 6100 series interfaces with most customer Internet technologies including asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), cable, and high-speed serial access lines. The 6WINDGGate 6110 has 2 Fast Ethernet interfaces. The 6WINDGate 6121 has two Fast Ethernet interfaces and also has a synchronous serial interface capable of speeds up to 2 Mbps.

Using the differentiated services (DiffServ) approach, QoS management features let you control IP flow and optimize network resources to prioritize critical and real-time applications.

Security has not been ignored. Security is based on IP security (IPSec), virtual private networking (VPN), and an IP filtering firewall. The router includes the ability to combine VPNs with IP filtering at the application level to provide a reasonably robust security system. IPSec, IP filtering, and IKE key management are available for both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols along with X509 v3 certificate management.

Routing protocols and algorithms include: RIP, RIPng, OSPFv3, BGP4+, PIMv6-SM, PIMv6-SSM, MLDv2, and MLDv2. 6WIND claims a throughput of up to 16 Mbps, VPN performance of up to 2 Mbps using 3DES, and DiffServ performance of up to 100 simultaneous flows. IPv6/v4 integration includes IPv4/IPv6 dual stack, v6 into v4 tunnels, v4 into v6 tunnels, ISATAP, and NAT-PT.

Flexible, programmable features
Dual stack transition mode (DSTM) allows for the interfacing of IPv6- and IPv4-only nodes without ignoring the importance of deploying IPv6 architectures.

In order to exchange data with IPv4 nodes with DSTM, the IPv6 nodes acquire a temporary IPv4 address from the DHCPv6 server which then encapsulates the IPv4 packet in an IPv6 packet so only IPv6 routing and addressing plans are used.

Because of its flexibility and programmable features, the 6100 series allows ISPs and operators to deploy services gradually. For example, a client may initially order an IP VPN with QoS from an ISP and later want to add mobility capabilities to the IP network.

The 6WINDGate implements a version of an IPv6 home agent function which allows a mobile station, such as a laptop, that is normally connected to the LAN side to keep the same communication capacities when in a remote location.

ISPs will find a number of possible configurations for the 6WINDGate, including:

• ISP IPv6 LAN interconnection service through an existing IPv4 backbone
• ISP IPv6 native service (including DiffServ QoS and secure VPN)
• ISP IPv4 service with provisions for migration to IPv6
• IPv6 intranet

Management of the router is easy thanks to a number of options including an HTML browser interface and a command line interface (CLI), which is accessible via a local console or remotely via telnet or SSH.

The 6WINDGate 6110 is priced at $1,900. The 6WINDGate 6121 sells for $2,200. Discounts are available for volume purchases.

6WIND is also working on the development of a new edge product—the 6WINDEdge—that will sit at the point of presence (POP) and integrate all of the IPv4/IPv6 migration mechanisms. It is expected to be available in December of this year. Despite the fear and problems associated with the transition, there is little doubt that a migration to IPv6 is inevitable. The 6WIND router is one more tool that can make this move a bit easier.

—End