When you start fresh with IPv6, you have a lot to gain in terms of routing, reputation and security. Today’s show focuses on the differences between provider-assigned (PA) and provider-independent (PI) address spaces. The team discusses the benefits of PI space and the clean slate it offers for address reputation and security. As always, strategic... Read more »

If you’re going to use DHCPv6, you have options, but there are some things you need to know in order to be able to build out your DHCPv6 configuration properly. Today’s IPv6 Buzz explores similarities and differences between DHCP and DHCPv6, particularly the operational model. And as always, you’ll want to verify and test before... Read more »

IPv6 address provisioning is the topic of this latest installment of the IPv6 Basics series.   The hosts focus on Stateless Address Auto Configuration (SLAAC) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6).  The differences between SLAAC and DHCPv6 are explained, including their use cases, the complexities of address management, and the importance of understanding... Read more »

In this episode we discuss the complexities of deploying IPv6 on a compressed timeline. We cover the need for careful planning, training, and understanding the protocol’s nuances. The conversation looks at the risks of delaying deployment, the benefits of incremental implementation, and the global momentum towards IPv6 adoption. Misconceptions about IPv6 are addressed, stressing that... Read more »

IPv6 Buzz welcomes back Nick Buraglio, a frequent guest, to discuss RFC 9637. We get into the details of RFC 9637, which describes the new documentation prefix space for IPv6. We also explore the process of how RFCs go from idea to standard in the IETF. (Cue the “I’m Just a Bill” song from Schoolhouse... Read more »

Our series on IPv6 basics continues with Router Advertisements (RAs) within the Neighbor Discovery Protocol. We look at how hosts bootstrap onto a network using ICMPv6, discuss the timing of sending out an RA, and then cover the configuration of RAs, including key flags and options. We also talk about the importance of understanding the... Read more »

The move from IPv4 to IPv6 is not straightforward. In a world where use cases for both protocols exist, there needs to be some sort of transition. Dual stack is one option but “IPv6 mostly” is another. On today’s show, guest Ondřej Caletka from RIPE NCC explores transitioning to an IPv6-centric network while retaining IPv4... Read more »

Nathan Sherrard shares insights from his Cisco Live US sessions on today’s show. We discuss the current state of IPv6 adoption, adoption challenges, and the strategic importance of transitioning to IPv6. Nathan rounds out the show with IPv6 topics worth keeping an eye on. Episode Guest: Nathan Sherrard, Sales Engineer, Cisco Nathan Sherrard is a... Read more »

RFC 9099 addresses security considerations for operating IPv6 networks, including issues such as address allocation and architecture, security considerations for DHCPv6 and DNS64, and more. Two of the RFC’s co-authors, Merike Kaeo and Eric Vyncke, join the IPv6 Buzz team to talk about the motivations for and challenges of creating RFC 9099. Episode Guests: Merike... Read more »

What are the operational considerations and differences between DHCP and DHCPv6?  In today’s episode we explore the implications for network management, security, and operational models. We also discuss the challenges of DHCPv6 failover, high availability, complex device tracking and identity management in various environments. Episode Links:  Scott’s Infoblox IPv6 CoE blog post  Introducing DHCPv6 Prefix... Read more »

Imagine a world with no broadcast storms, basically no DAD issues, not even ARP and reverse ARP. That is the world of IPv6 neighbor discovery. In today’s episode, we teach you the simplicity of IPv6 neighbor discovery: just native Layer 3 addresses, ICMPv6, and multicast. If you’ve ever been annoyed at a guy hopping on... Read more »

If you don’t blame “destination unreachable” messages on DNS servers, are you even a real network engineer? All joking aside, Johannes Weber joins the show today to teach us how to use ICMPv6 to troubleshoot network issues, pinpointing if the problem is within your network or outside of it. He walks us through identifying possible... Read more »

If you’re an Active Directory administrator or part of an enterprise network team working with one, this episode is for you. Ed literally wrote the book “Practical IPv6 for Windows Administrators” so Scott has fun interviewing him as today’s guest. Ed goes over how to diagram out your IPv6 deployment, including address allocation and making... Read more »

Alexandra Huides didn’t like IPv6 on her first encounter with it. Today she is globally renowned for spreading the IPv6 gospel and helping AWS customers adopt it. Alexandra joins the show today to share what changed her mind about IPv6 and what she sees change the minds of network engineers every day: Greater client traffic... Read more »

As part of our ongoing series on IPv6 basics, today we cover the differences you should be aware of between ICMPv4 and ICMPv6. Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is the protocol that lets you test reachability: Pings, echoes, TCP connections, etc. We explain what you need to know and why you need to know it,... Read more »

When you chair the IPv6 Task Force for the United States Federal Government, you get a pretty good view of IPv6 implementation across the world and in every aspect of American society. That’s why we have Rob Sears on the show today. He gives us his perspective as chair of the task force charged with... Read more »

Today Tom, Scott, and Ed discuss the exciting announcement in IPv6 world: Microsoft is expanding its CLAT support in Windows 11. This means enterprises can be even more comfortable transitioning to a IPv6-only network: Now not only do they have DNS64 and NAT64 to translate IPv4 to IPv6, but they have CLAT for any apps... Read more »

Welcome to a crossover episode with the Packet Protector podcast! You’re already running IPv6, even if you don’t know it yet. Your remote users are using it at their homes, your printers come with it built into the kernel, your generals are using it on their mobile phones (check out our news headlines section). So... Read more »

For years, Johannes Weber has heard network engineers around the world repeat the myth that IPv6 is more of a hassle than IPv4. So he made a list: “Why IPv6 is better than IPv4.” Don’t worry, solving global address exhaustion isn’t on it. In this episode, Johannes goes over his list with precision and passion... Read more »

If you’ve been wondering about the double colons and letters you’re seeing in IPv6 addresses, this is the episode for you. Tom and Scott break down IPv6 addressing, starting with the basics of binary and taking you all the way through the etiquette of not using capital letters in Layer 3 addressing (we’re looking at... Read more »

Are you on the IPv6 hit list? Does your CPE device have Recommended Simple Security Capabilities? Are your ULA prefixes unique, but still manageable? Do you have a protection method structure or are you just hoping that the IPv6 space is so vast the bad guys will never find you? Tom Coffeen and Scott Hogg... Read more »

A round-up of IP address news to start the new year: Eric Vyncke of the IETF has created an RFC 6724 website that is an excellent time-saving tool for figuring out source destination address selection processes. AWS announces more IPv6 features and support, and adds a new charge for public IPv4 use. State actors, including... Read more »

These days, most network devices can speak both IPv4 and IPv6. A dual-stack approach can smooth the transition from one protocol to the other because organizations can get comfortable with IPv6 without having to make a hard cutover. However, they may get so comfortable that they never fully commit. In this episode Ed, Scott, and... Read more »

We kick off 2024 with a new limited series called “IPv6 Basics” for those listeners who might be new to this protocol or would like a refresher. Ed and Scott start with why IPv6 was needed and how it is different (and the same) as IPv4. Topics discussed include: Early drivers for IPv6 development IPv6... Read more »