Optimized Convergence of OSPFv3 in Large Scale Hybrid IPv4-IPv6 Network

Abstract

The fast growth of the Internet has resulted in IPv4 addresses depletion. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are trying to replace their IPv4 networks with IPv6 gradually. IPv6 was launched with new features like simpler header format, larger address space, efficient routing and built-in security. IPv4-IPv6 transition process has been slow therefore both versions of IP are expected to co-exist for some time. As IPv4 and IPv6 are not compatible to each other, therefore packet traversing and routing has to face challenges. Tunneling is a temporary solution which is used to resolve packet traversing. This research presents the behavioral analysis of Open Shortest Path First (OSPFv3) through several IPv6 tunneling protocols (6in4, 6to4, ISATAP & GRE) over large scale IPv4 network. The performance of OSPFv3 is measured through route summarization over hybrid IPv4-IPv6 network on the basis of numerous parameters like convergence & re-convergence time, round trip time, response time, tunnel overhead and protocol traffic statistics.