IPv6 Enhanced
What Is IPv6 Enhanced?
IPv6 Enhanced is an intelligent, programmable, and highly reliable network architecture built on the IPv6 protocol, incorporating innovative technologies such as Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6), network slicing, In-situ Flow Information Telemetry (IFIT), and Bit Index Explicit Replication IPv6 (BIERv6) encapsulation. It not only addresses the scalability and flexibility limitations of traditional IPv4/IPv6 networks but also provides differentiated service capabilities for emerging scenarios such as 5G, industrial internet, and computing power networks. As a result, it is hailed as the core foundation of the next-generation internet.
Core Technologies of IPv6 Enhanced
IPv6 Enhanced combines SRv6, network slicing, IFIT, BIERv6, and Application-aware IPv6 Networking (APN6) to boost network intelligence, programmability, and reliability, enabling efficient data transmission, real-time monitoring, and application-aware services.
SRv6
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Principle
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SRv6 inserts Segment Identifiers (SIDs) into IPv6 extension headers to guide data packets through specific
nodes or services like firewalls and load balancers.
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Advantages
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Programmable Paths: Operators can customize forwarding paths for different services (e.g., bypassing congested nodes). Protocol Simplification: Eliminates the need for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels, reducing equipment complexity and providing a unified forwarding plane for all services. This simplification lays the foundation for automated and intelligent networks. |
Network Slicing
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Principle
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Network slicing uses the IPv6 Flow Label to identify different slices, enabling resource isolation and
on-demand allocation. This meets the security isolation needs of enterprise private networks, such
as those in government and financial sectors.
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Advantages
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Resource and Security Isolation: Provides dedicated channels for services like remote healthcare and 8K live streaming. Deterministic Latency: Deploys interactive and control services in dedicated slices, ensuring predictable latency.
Flexible Topology Customization: Traffic can evolve from single-direction to multi-direction, making network connections more flexible, complex, and dynamic.
Automated Slice Management: The network slice manager offers full lifecycle management, bridging the gap from user intent to service delivery and supporting slice planning and deployment.
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IFIT
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Principle
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Proposed by Huawei as an IETF standard, IFIT marks real business packets by inserting an IFIT
header, directly measuring network performance indicators such as latency, packet loss rate, and jitter.
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Advantages
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Visualized Operations Interface: In-band telemetry enables second-level data collection, displaying real-time service quality indicators like packet loss rate and latency.
One-Minute Fault Localization: By integrating with the SDN controller, IFIT performs hop-by-hop analysis for automatic service path recovery and uses multicast fault algorithms to quickly identify and precisely locate faulty ports and links.
Adaptability to Various Scenarios: IFIT is compatible with different network types, including Layer 2, Layer 3, and tunnels, catering to diverse network needs.
Closed-loop intelligent O&M: By integrating telemetry, big data analysis, and intelligent algorithms, IFIT enables proactive anomaly detection, automatic fault localization, and self-healing.
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BIERv6
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Principle
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BIERv6 leverages IPv6 extension headers, address reachability, and programmable space to
implement a pure IPv6 multicast architecture with enhanced deployment capabilities, supporting
future IPv6 features.
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Advantages
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Simplicity and Convenience: Only requires configuration at the ingress node, enabling cross-domain multicast services using IPv6 encapsulation. It can seamlessly pass through nodes and third-party networks that do not support BIERv6.
Smooth Operation: Transit nodes are unaware of the service content, and the protocol converges rapidly (within milliseconds).
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APN6
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APN6 uses IPv6 extension headers to carry application information (including application ID
and service requirements), enabling the network to recognize application needs and ensure
SLA guarantees.
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| Advantages |
Application-aware Network: Unlike traditional IP headers that only contain basic routing information, APN6 leverages IPv6 extension headers to carry application information, notifying the network of the required services.
Refined Operations: By inserting IFIT headers into service packets, APN6 visualizes network performance and service quality, enhancing real-time and efficient network operations.
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Applications of IPv6 Enhanced
IPv6 Enhanced enables the transformation of networks from mere “connectivity” to “intelligent services” by introducing a programmable data plane, APN6, and refined resource scheduling capabilities. Its core goal is to provide differentiated Service Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees (such as ultra-low latency and deterministic bandwidth) for various industries while supporting flexible customization of network functions. The following are key practical applications of IPv6 Enhanced across various industries:
Cloud-Network Convergence
With its native IPv6 features, SRv6 can be deployed in data center networks and even on user terminals, promoting cloud-network convergence—ideal for building intelligent IP networks.
Smart Home
Network slicing Logical isolation based on IPv6 meets the needs of diversified new services and network isolation in the 5G and cloud era. For example, mobile communication, environmental monitoring, smart home, smart agriculture, smart meter reading and other services require massive device connections and frequent transmission of a large number of small packets.
Intelligent O&M
IFIT marks real business flows within the network, enabling intuitive measurement of performance indicators such as latency, packet loss rate, and jitter. Combined with big data analysis and intelligent algorithms, it supports the needs of emerging services like HD video, virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), ensuring automated and intelligent network operations.
Remote Multicast Services
BIERv6 eliminates complex protocols and tunnel tables, simplifying deployment and reducing operational overhead. This significantly reduces operational complexity while ensuring rapid convergence during faults, enhancing network reliability. It efficiently supports multicast services such as IPTV, video conferencing, remote education, telemedicine, and live streaming.
Cloud Network Operation
APN6 encodes application requirements (such as latency and bandwidth) into IPv6 packets, enabling the network to respond to service demands in real time. This greatly enriches cloud-network services, expands value-added opportunities, and empowers service providers to refine cloud-network operations.
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