The IPv6 Paradox

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Despite the fact that IPv6 has many technical advantages over IPv4, such as a much larger address space, improved routing efficiency, and better support for modern devices, its implementation is lagging behind. And it has lasted for more than 25 years, with the prospect of another 20–30 years. The main issue is that IPv6 essentially works as a parallel internet, rather than a direct replacement for IPv4. Let’s look at some of the major points of contention that the Internet community faces:

Content Duplication

Web site owners must maintain two-tier configurations to support IPv4 and IPv6 users. Such duplication is costly and complex. Since most Internet users still use IPv4, there is little incentive for content providers to switch exclusively to IPv6. Taking into account the use of technologies like CDN, which simultaneously uses networks and nodes of several providers to deliver content to different locations, this task turns into a separate, expensive project requiring not only technological but also human resources. At the same time, the economic effect of implementation is minimal or non-existent.

Compatibility Issues

IPv6 is not backward compatible with IPv4. This means that without dual stacking, IPv4-only devices will not be able to communicate with IPv6-only devices, resulting in fragmentation of the Internet connection. For multi-part L3 networks, such as CDNs, this can be a real challenge.

Economic Factors

Migration to IPv6 requires significant investment in infrastructure, training, and maintenance. Many organisations are choosing to extend the life of their existing IPv4 infrastructure using workarounds such as Network Address Translation (NAT) rather than making the costly transition to IPv6. With the development of the IPv4 lease and sale market, it has become much easier to obtain IPv4 addresses in case of scarcity on the secondary market. We wrote about the false claim of IPv4 exhaustion [4].

The Slow Development and Deep Roots of IPv4

The development and implementation of IPv6 took a long time, from early versions in 1994 to RFC2460 in 1998 [2] to the final RFC4291 in 2006 [3]. During this time, IPv4 has become deeply entrenched in the global Internet infrastructure. Internet infrastructure requires smooth and seamless changes, which are impossible without the monotonous and meticulous work of highly qualified specialists. For many companies, more urgent priorities overshadow IPv6 adoption.

ISP-Independent Addressing and Multihoming Issues

Address Management

IPv6 was designed to allow multiple addresses per interface, which complicates source address selection and often leads to suboptimal routing decisions.

Routing Table Size

The goal of IPv6 was to reduce the size of the global routing table by eliminating provider-independent (PI) address blocks. However, many organisations still prefer PI addresses, resulting in larger routing tables.

DNS and Prefix Management

Adopting a AAAA DNS record instead of an A6 record makes it difficult to manage address components independently, limiting IPv6 multihoming flexibility.

NAT and NPTv6

IPv6 tends to avoid NAT to maintain end-to-end connectivity, requiring alternative solutions such as DHCPv6 or Network Prefix Translation (NPTv6), which are not always straightforward.

Implementation Issues

Early versions of IPv6 did not support prefix-based addresses well, preventing effective implementation of multihoming models based on multiple addresses.

Connections to Multiple ISPs

The process of connecting a user to multiple ISPs negates many of the benefits of IPv6 by creating routing and address management issues. The lack of a robust IPv6 multihoming solution exacerbates these problems, increasing operational complexity and costs.

Advantages of IPv6

Despite the challenges, IPv6 provides several key advantages over IPv4:

  • Virtually unlimited IP addresses, critical for the future of the Internet of Things (IoT).
  • Easier network configuration and management through autoconfiguration and more efficient routing.
  • Secure connectivity through built-in support for IPsec, enabling end-to-end encryption.

These benefits primarily appeal to network engineers and large service providers, but the immediate tangible benefits for average users or enterprises are less obvious.

Introducing IPvX as a New Concept for Internet Architecture

Given the difficulties associated with IPv6, it is worth considering whether an entirely new protocol, such as IPvX, could better meet the needs of a growing and increasingly complex Internet.

Key Features of IPvX

  • Blockchain Integration: IPvX uses blockchain to create a decentralized and secure method of managing IP addresses and domain names, potentially eliminating the need for centralized bodies like ICANN.
  • Modular Architecture: IPvX allows components to be upgraded or replaced without rebuilding the entire system, supporting a wide range of applications and technologies.
  • Enhanced Security and Trust: Smart contracts and NFTs ensure transaction authenticity and resource allocation integrity, addressing DNS system weaknesses.
  • Future-Proofing: IPvX supports advanced features like AI-driven routing and IoT, designed with the future of internet connectivity in mind.

Conclusions

Despite the technological superiority of IPv6 over IPv4, its implementation faces significant barriers, such as maintaining a dual-stack environment and the economic and time costs of transition. To truly improve Internet infrastructure, revolutionary approaches like IPvX may be necessary. IPvX promises a more secure, scalable, and flexible Internet, offering a longer-term solution compared to current protocols.

As the Internet evolves, so must the underlying protocols. It is time to consider whether to persist with IPv6 or implement new solutions like IPvX, which, although costly, may offer greater longevity and adaptability.


By Alexey Shkittin, Network Technology Enthusiast

References:

[1] - IPvX Ecosystem on Internet Archive
[2] - RFC2460 – Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification
[3] - RFC4291 – IPv6 Addressing Architecture
[4] - SECONDARY REDISTRIBUTION OF THE IP ADDRESS SPACE. CAN THE STATE HELP WITH THIS?