Empirical analysis of IPv6 transition technologies using the IPv6 Network Evaluation Testbed

Abstract

IPv6 has yet to become more than a worthy successor of IPv4, which remains, for now, the dominant Internet Protocol. This is due to the complicated transition period through which the Internet will have to go, until IPv6 will completely replace IPv4. One of the challenges introduced by this transition is to decide which technology is more feasible for a particular network scenario. To that end, this article proposes the IPv6 Network Evaluation Testbed (IPv6NET), a research project whose ultimate goal is to obtain feasibility data in order to formulate a coherent, scenario-based IPv6 transition strategy. The paper presents the overview of IPv6NET, the testing methodology and empirical results for a specific network scenario. The presented empirical feasibility data includes network performance data such as latency, throughput, packet loss, and operational capability data, such as configuration, troubleshooting and applications capability.