DHCPv6 and Recursive DNS as fundamental axes of the IPv6 only tutorial

04/04/2024

No LACNIC event is complete without an IPv6 course, which is why during the upcoming LACNIC 41 event in Panama City, the only IPv6 tutorial will include two new topics, geared mostly towards the world of IPv6-only networks.

The idea is to keep up with what operators in our region actually need: simplifying network administration and preserving IPv4 addresses.

A bit of history

Since 2002, LACNIC has organized 40 events, and at least the last thirty of these events included a minimum of one course on IPv6, either Basic IPv6 or Only IPv6, and sometimes even both.

Evolution

LACNIC’s IPv6 courses have undergone many changes, as over the years we have tried to adapt, update, and modernize them. For example, many years ago, IPv6 was just a basic topic; over time, however, new topics have been added and/or eliminated: routing, BGP, transition mechanisms, live demos, IPv6 in dual-stack mode, mobile networks, GPON, security, and many others.

Recent years

Over the past two years, our courses have evolved mainly towards IPv6-only networks, with two main objectives in mind: preserving IPv4 addresses and simplifying network administration.

IPv6 course to be held at LACNIC 41

Participants can expect a lot from the IPv6 course that will be held at LACNIC 41. Two new topics will be added to the program and two other very interesting topics will be maintained, once again, all of them related to the world of IPv6-only. The two new topics not to be missed are: a) DHCPv6-PD and b) IPv6-Only Recursive DNS behind NAT 64.

Instructors

Alejandro Acosta (R&D Coordinator at LACNIC), Uesley Correa (Telecom Consulting), and José Cotúa (SIMEON) will be the instructors for this course.

About the topics

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCPv6) is the main protocol behind the assignment of resources and IP parameters to clients. It is best known for its significant role in the assignment of IPv4 addresses and now also for its role in prefix delegation in IPv6 networks where its function is to assign addressing resources to subscribers.  The tutorial will place special emphasis on Prefix Delegation (PD).

Each Internet service provider must have a DHCPv6 server, and, in the case of Prefix Delegation, this server will deliver a unique prefix to each subscriber. The course will describe the protocol from a technical point of view, offer a live demo, and share best practices. Last but not least, instructors will explain different ways to implement the corresponding routing to the client.

IPv6-only recursive DNS behind NAT64. Another new topic that will be addressed in the advanced IPv6 tutorial is the technique that allows having IPv6-only DNS servers that can reach all IPv4 (and IPv6) networks and therefore preserve IPv4 addresses without causing any issues.

This topic presents a great challenge, as some DNS zones are served exclusively by IPv4-only authoritative servers. This can cause problems for iterative IPv6 only-resolvers.

The LACNIC 41 tutorial will work on this topic, including modules covering the theory as well as live demos.

A recent article published on the LACNIC Blog addresses this issue, and Acosta has also presented a tutorial on the use of recursive DNS behind NAT 64.

Anything else?

Let’s not forget SIIT-DC and IPv4 prefix routing in IPv6-only networks, two topics that will also be covered by the IPv6 course at LACNIC 41. Additionally, LACNIC will continue to promote the use of the IPv6 protocol from end to end, which can translate into savings in terms of IPv4 addresses and an increase in network performance.

Anyone interested in participating, either on site or virtually, in this training activity that will take place on 6 May during LACNIC 41 can click here to register.