International Journal of Digital Communication and Networks (IJDCN)

Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015

Design of IPV6 Enterprise Network with Stateless

Address Auto configuration
J.Sajimi Nisha1 and Dr.S.Anila2

Abstract-Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) is a new routing

protocol and it is the most mature protocol for future internet.
It is the advanced version of Internet Protocol Version 4
(IPv4). Internet protocol is used for address configuration. The
IPv4 network does not support more number of users since the
available address space is 32 bits only. The present IPv4
address exhaustion problem is being solved through Network
Address Translation (NAT) and the transition to next
generation internet. The advantages offered by the next
generation internet are larger address space, mobility, security,
Quality of Service (QoS). In IPv6, the stateless address
autoconfiguration allow the host to configure the address itself
without any help from other devices. In proposed system IPv6
network is designed and stateless address autoconfiguration is
enabled. Addresses are configured initially and OSPF (Open
Shortest Path First) algorithm is used in multi area where
virtual link is established for configuration.
Keywords: IPv6, IPv4, SLAAC, NAT, OSPF

1 INTRODUCTION
IPv6 is the next generation protocol for the
internet. It is designed to provide several advantages over
current IPv4 [3]. IPv6 define network layer protocol i.e.,
how data is sent from one computer to another computer
over packet switched networks such as the internet. IPv6 is
designed to allow the internet to grow steadily, both in
terms of the number of hosts connected and the total
amount of data traffic transmitted, it will have a 128 bit
address
looking
like
1234:5678:90AB:CDEF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF:FFFF, and it
will
support
up
to
340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456
(3.4x1038) unique addresses.
1.1 NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSLATION (NAT)
ISSUES IN IPV4
Internet Protocol version (IPv4) addresses can be
from an officially assigned public range or from internal
intranet private (but not globally unique) blocks.
1. J.Sajimi Nisha, PG scholar, Department of Electronics and
Communication Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
(E-mail: [email protected]).
2. Dr.S.Anila, Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and
Communication Engineering, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Technology,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (E-mail: [email protected]).

In the internal intranet private address case, a NAT function

is employed to map the internal addresses to an external
public address when the private to public network boundary
is crossed. IPv4 theoretically allow up to 232 addresses,
based on a four octet address space. In IPv4 it is a 32 bit (4
byte) binary address used to identify the device. It is
represented by the classification A, B, C, D, E and the range
is from 0 to 255. Public globally unique addresses are
assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA). NAT mechanism consists of using only a small set
of public IPv4 addresses for an entire network to access to
internet. A number of protocols cannot easily travel through
a NAT device, and hence the use of NAT implies that many
applications cannot be used effectively in all instances [7].
As a consequence, these applications can only be used in
intranets. Examples include
Multimedia
applications
such
as
videoconferencing, Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP), or video on demand do not work smoothly
through NAT devices.

IPSec (IP Security) is used extensively for data

authentication, integrity, and confidentiality.
Network Address Translation does not support
IPSec.
The need for obligatory use of NAT disappears with IPv6.
IPv4 network is more disadvantages such as address space
is less, less security, not economical, need manual
configuration. Hence, IPv6 is used for enhancing security
and to provide autoconfiguration.
1.2 IPV6 SPECIFICATIONS
IPv6 has a very large address space and consists of
128 bits as compared to 32 bits in IPv4[3]. Thus the
decision was made to consider the 16 octets of an IPv6
address as 8 unsigned integers and writing each number
with 4 hexadecimal digits separated with colons. For
example: 1080:0000:0000:0000:0008:0800:200C:417A. In
the example shown above, the address representation may
be compressed by eliminating leading zeros within each
octet and eliminating series of octets containing zeros
(although this can only be applied once to an address). So,
the
previous
IPv6
address
now
becomes:
1080::8:800:200C:417A. As mentioned before, an IPv6
prefix identifies how many bits of the address are assigned
to the subnet work. It is represented by the notation: IPv6

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International Journal of Digital Communication and Networks (IJDCN)

Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015

address/prefix length. For example: 1080:0:0:0:8::/80

display a subnet with an 80-bit prefix.
1.3 STATELESS ADDRESS AUTOCONFIGURATION
(SLAAC)
IPv6 includes a Plug and play mechanism that
facilitates the connection of equipment to the network [8].
The unicast IPv6 addressing architecture uses one half of
the address (64 bits) to insert IEEE EUI-64 (Extended
Unique Identifier-64) in each interface address. The use of
globally unique EUI-64 on every interface allows systems
to derive globally unique IPv6 addresses automatically from
simple statement from neighboring systems [5].
2 PROPOSED SYSTEM
In the proposed system, IPv6 network is designed
and stateless address autoconfiguration is enabled. The
design of IPv6 network is carried out using routing protocol
such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and RIP. The
stateless address autoconfiguration contains information
messages such as Router Advertisement (RA) and Router
Solicitation (RS), Neighbor Advertisement (NA) and
Neighbor Solicitation (NS). The Proposed System is shown
in Figure 2.1.
IPv6 network
design
Routin
g
protoco
l such
as
OSPF
and
RIP

SLAAC

Router
Advertise
ment and
Router
Solicitation

Neighbor
Advertise
ment and
Neighbor
Solicitatio
n

Figure 2.1 Proposed System

2.1 OPEN SHORTEST PATH FIRST (OSPF)
Internet protocol traffic follows rules established
by routing protocols, such as Open Shortest Path First
(OSPF). Each router computes shortest paths using weights
assigned by the network operator, and creates destination
tables used to direct each IP packet to the next router on the
path to its final destination. OSPF is an adaptive routing
protocol for IP networks. It uses a link state routing
algorithm and falls into the group of interior routing
protocols, operating within a single Autonomous System
(AS). OSPF is perhaps the most widely used IGP in large
enterprise networks. IS-IS, another link state dynamic
routing protocol, is more common in large service provider
networks. The most widely used exterior gateway protocol
is the BGP, the principal routing protocol between AS on
the Internet [10], [6].

2.2 MULTI AREA OPEN SHORTEST PATH FIRST

(MAOSPF)
As OSPF supports n nodes, more routing
information is available and processing delay will increase.
So a single area could be divided into several areas. This is
known as multi area concept. The area can be identified by
using area id. Area 0 must be compulsorily available. Multi
area concept reduces latency and hence increases network
performance. OSPF routers there are 4 types such as
Backbone Router (BR), Internal Router (IR), Area Border
Router (ABR) and Autonomous System Boundary Router
(ASBR).
Backbone Router (BR)
Backbone Router have one or more interfaces in
Area 0(the backbone area).
Internal Router (IR)
An internal router is a router that has OSPF
neighbor relationships with interfaces in the same area. An
internal router has all its interfaces in a single area.
Area Border Router (ABR)
An Area Border Router (ABR) is a router that
connects one or more areas to the main backbone network.
If OSPF virtual link area used an ABR also be used to
connect to the area using the virtual link to another non
backbone area.
Autonomous System Boundary Router (ASBR)
An Autonomous System Boundary Router (ASBR)
is a router that is connected to more than one routing
protocol and that interact routing information with routers in
other protocols.
2.3 RIP (ROUTING INFORMATION PROTOCOL)
The RIP is a distance vector routing protocol,
which employs the hop count as a routing metric. It sends
the complete routing table out to all active interfaces every
30 seconds [6]. RIP prevent routing loops by implementing
a limit on the number of hops allowed in a path from the
source to a destination. The maximum number of hops
allowed for in this protocol. This hop limit, however, also
limits the size of networks that RIP can support.
2.4 IPV6 STATELESS AUTOCONFIGURATION
Stateless Autoconfiguration exploits several new
features in IPv6, including link local addresses, multicasting
and NDP, and the ability to generate the interface identifier
of an address from the underlying data layer address. The
stateless mechanism enables a host to generate its own
addresses [9]. This mechanism uses local information that is
advertised by routers to generate the addresses. Routers
advertise prefixes that identify the subnet or subnets that are
associated with a link. Hosts generate an interface identifier
that uniquely identifies an interface on a subnet. An address
is formed by combining the prefix and the interface
identifier. In the absence of routers, a host can generate only
link local addresses. However, link local addresses are only

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International Journal of Digital Communication and Networks (IJDCN)

Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015

sufficient for allowing communication among nodes that are

attached to the same link [1].
It is more flexible and supports plug and play
operation. Unicast addresses were used to a node [5]. Every
address had two lifetimes associated with it, the valid
lifetime defines the period of time duration which the
address can be used and the preferred lifetime indicated the
period during which the addresses can safely be used for all
communication. The preferred lifetime must be shorter than
the valid lifetime [8]. Neighbor Discovery (ND) is
implemented within the Internet Control Message Protocol
(ICMP) making all services including address resolution
independent of link technologies.
2.5 ICMPV6 MESSAGES
ICMPv6 (Internet Control Message Protocol
Version 6) is the implementation of the ICMP for IPv6.
ICMPv6 is an integral part of IPv6 and performs error
reporting and diagnostic functions and has a framework for
extensions to implement future changes. ICMPv6
information messages such as Router Advertisement (RA)
and Router Solicitation (RS), Neighbor Advertisement
(NA) and Neighbor Solicitation (NS) and Redirect [2].
RA and RS
The RS and RA message are used to find and
achieve information from router. RA uses these messages to
inform other nodes existing on all links to which they are
connected, of their presence. The process occurs
periodically or in response to a RS message. These
messages also provide other link related information.
Through RA, a host can build its default router list
automatically, and thus overcome the limitation of the
manual configuration of the default router in IPv4. Router
Solicitation upon the enabling of an interface of a node,
these messages can be used to request all routers on the
same local link to send Router Advertisements immediately,
rather than waiting until the next periodically scheduled
advertisement.
NS and NA
These messages have three main purposes. The
first is to discover the link layer address of a neighbour as
part of the address resolution process. This process replaces
the use of ARP (Addresses Resolution Protocol) requests
and replies in IPv4. The second purpose is to determine the
reachability of a neighbour. The last is to detect the
presence of duplicate IPv6 addresses during the address
autoconfiguration process. In Neighbour Advertisement
(NA) these messages are either in response to Neighbour
Solicitations, or those sent by a neighbour to announce a
change in its link layer address. Upon receipt of a NA, a
node will update its neighbour cache which contains
mappings between IPv6 and link layer addresses of
neighbours.
Redirect

These messages are used by routers to inform

hosts that a better link router exists for a given destination
address.
3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Cisco equipments and window devices are used in
the proposed system. The IPv6 has been configured mainly
on Cisco router 7200.
3.1 DESIGN OF IPV6 NETWORK WITH STATELESS
ADDRESS AUTOCONFIGURATION
Figure 3.1 shows the designed IPv6 network with
stateless address autoconfiguration. Autoconfiguration is
shown in the left hand side of the network. The transmission
path uses multi area OSPFv3 & RIP Protocols (RIP is by
the right hand side). There are five routers linked to the
switches, switch 1 and switch 2. Two hosts, C1 and C2 are
connected to switch 1 and another two hosts C3 and C4 are
connected to switch 2.

Figure 3.1 design of IPv6 network with stateless address

autoconfiguration
3.2 OSPF IN MULTI AREA
OSPF supports n nodes. In OSPF, a single area
can be divided into multiple areas. This is known as multi
area concept. It can have a maximum of up to 65,535 areas.
The area can be identified by using area id. Area 0 must be
compulsorily available. In multi area concept, different
protocols can be redistributed across the network and
convergence can be achieved. Multi area concept reduces
latency and hence increases network performance and is
shown in Figure 3.2.

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International Journal of Digital Communication and Networks (IJDCN)

Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015

In IPv6 SLAAC, the node creates the rightmost 64

bits IID, which identifies an individual node within a local
network. The IID is often configured from the EUI-64 that
is generated based on the interface hardware identifier,
usually the MAC address of the network.
Autoconfigurations of router 1 and 7 is shown in Figure 3.4.

Figure 3.2 OSPF in Multi Area

3.3 OSPF VIRTUAL LINK CONNECTION
OSPF can be used in point to multipoint because
of virtual link and hence more routing information is
available. Communication is accomplished via a distinct
type of one-to-many connection, providing multiple paths
from a single location to multiple locations using virtual
link connection between router 2 and router 3. OSPF
Virtual Link Connection is shown in Figure 3.3.

Figure 3.4 Router Autoconfiguration

3.5 OUTPUT OF IPV6 NETWORK AND SLAAC
Outputs of IPv6 Network and SLAAC along with
the sent packets are shown in Figures 3.5 and 3.6.

Figure 3.5 Output of IPv6 Network

Figure 3.6 Output of SLAAC

Figure 3.3 OSPF Virtual Link Connection
3.4 STATELESS ADDRESS AUTOCONFIGURATION

4 CONCLUSION
The data transmission in IPv6 configured network
and package for the enhancing reliability for transmitting

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International Journal of Digital Communication and Networks (IJDCN)

Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015

packets in IPV6 network has been developed using GNS3

software. The Simulator is an extremely useful tool for the
network valuable to redirect and balance various other
routers. The OSPF protocol is used in various networks
like, point to point, point to multipoint and multi area.
Hence fast convergence is achieved, thereby increasing the
network performance. The Stateless autoconfiguration is
automatically configured and has possession of address in a
protected manner.

Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vol.

5 (2), pp 1058-1065, 2014.

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