What Is 6 to 4 Tunnelling?
6 to4 tunnelling is a method of integrating IPv6 packets within an IPv4 network. It is particularly useful when transmitting IPv6 data over an IPv4 network, and is especially effective in WAN settings where a remote network still uses IPv4 protocols.
In this type of migration, the process involves the creation or configuration of a tunnel that acts as a pathway to transport IPv6 traffic over an IPv4 network. Essentially, the tunnel serves as a bridge between the two networks, allowing for seamless communication between devices that use IPv6 and those that use IPv4. This approach is commonly used when transitioning from an IPv4 network to an IPv6 network or when there is a need to connect two networks that use different IP versions..
There exist various techniques for tunnelling IPv6 over IPv4, out of which two of the most fundamental ones are Manual 6to4 tunnelling and Dynamic 6to4 tunnelling.
Manual IPv6-over-IPv4 tunnelling involves encapsulating an IPv6 packet within the IPv4 protocol. However, this technique necessitates the use of dual-stack routers.
The diagram provided above is an illustration of how to manually configure an ipv6 to IPv4 tunnel.
Specifically, the diagram shows Router R1 and its tunnel interface, configured with both an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address. The IPv4 address is 192.168.10.1, while the IPv6 address is 2ffe:db7:E02::1/64. By having both addresses, Router R1 is capable of establishing a reliable and efficient ipv6 tunnel.
Router R2’s tunnel interface has IPv4 address 192.168.20.1 and IPv6 address 2ffe:db7:E01::1/64 The two dual-stacked routers, R1 and R2, provide a tunnel for IPv6 over IPv4 packets.
In order to establish a tunnel, you need routers that are configured for dual-stack and IPv4 as well as IPv6 addresses configured at both ends.
Dynamic 6to4 tunnelling.
Dynamic 6to4 tunnelling is another method used to transmit IPv6 traffic over an IPv4 network.
It works by encapsulating the IPv6 packets inside IPv4 packets, so they can be transmitted over an IPv4 network.
The tunnel endpoints are determined dynamically based on the IPv4 address of the sender and receiver.
This allows hosts on an IPv4 network to communicate with IPv6 hosts on the Internet without the need for manual configuration. However, it has some limitations such as potential security issues due to the lack of encryption and authentication.
In summary, 6 to 4 tunneling is accomplished by encapsulating IPv6 data within an IPv6 header, then merging it with the complete IPv6 data and IPv6 header to create an IPv4 header. This method allows IPv6 packets to be transmitted over an IPv4 network, enabling communication between devices using different IP versions. The encapsulation and merging process is crucial for ensuring seamless data transfer and interoperability in mixed IPv4/IPv6 environments.
How to Configure Dual Stacking on Cisco Router.
IPv6 Address Expression and Example. Types of IPv6 Address.
How IPv6 Address Works. How to Configure IPv6 on Cisco Router.
IPv6 Routing Protocols. How to Configure IPv6 Static and Default Routes.
