This book is organized so that a reader familiar with IPv4 can easily learn about the new features in IPv6 by reading Chapter 2 to Chapter 6. These chapters cover what you need to know about addressing, the new IPv6 header, ICMPv6, security, and quality of service (QoS). Chapter 7 to Chapter 10 cover such topics as networking aspects, support of different link-layer services, Mobile IPv6, routing, and the transition mechanisms that make IPv6 interoperable with IPv4. Chapter 11 is a quick-start guide and includes sample implementations of IPv6 stacks tested in my lab. Chapter 11 also offers a short description of how different operating systems are configured for IPv6. Here is a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the book:
Chapter 1 briefly explains the history of IPv6, gives an overview of the new functionality, and describes some live test and production networks that are already using IPv6.
Chapter 2 describes the new IPv6 header format, with a discussion of each field and a trace file example. It also describes what Extension headers are, what types of Extension headers have been defined, and how they are used.
Chapter 3 explains everything you need to know about the new address format, address notation, address types, international registry services, and prefix allocation.
Chapter 4 describes the new ICMPv6 message format, the IMCPv6 Error messages and Informational messages, and the ICMPv6 header in a trace file. The chapter also discusses the extended functionality based on ICMPv6 such as neighbor discovery, autoconfiguration, path MTU discovery, and multicast group management. You will learn how ICMPv6 makes administration easier.
Chapter 5 begins with a short discussion of basic security concepts, requirements, and current solutions. It then covers the IPSEC framework, security elements available in IPv6 for authentication and encryption, how they are used, and how they integrate with other elements such as NAT routers and autoconfiguration. This chapter was written by Hannes Lubich.
Chapter 6 discusses basic requirements and types of QoS. We explain the QoS elements available in IPv6 and how they can be implemented. We also describe different QoS architectures and introduce further work in this area, primarily on resource reservation. This chapter was written by Hannes Lubich.
Chapter 7 discusses Layer 2 support for IPv6 (Ethernet, Token Ring, ATM, frame relay, etc.); explains multicast support, multicast routing, and Mobile IPv6; and discusses some sample network designs that show how IPv6 can grow into our networks step-by-step, without interruption of our IPv4 services.
Chapter 8 discusses the advanced routing features of IPv6 and covers the available routing protocols such as RIPng, OSPFv3 for IPv6, and BGP extensions for IPv6, IS-IS, and EIGRPv6. This chapter was written by Stefan Marzohl.
Chapter 9 discusses what is going on above the IP layer, starting with changes for TCP and UDP and continuing with DHCPv6, DNS extensions for IPv6, SLPv2 in IPv6 networks, FTP, Telnet, and web servers.
Chapter 10 discusses the different transition mechanisms that have been defined, such as dual-stack operation, tunneling, and translation techniques. It also shows how they can be used and combined to ensure peaceful coexistence and smooth transitions. The chapter also provides a list of vendor links that show what equipment, stacks, and software are currently available.
Chapter 11 explains how to get started with IPv6 on different operating systems such as Sun Solaris, Linux, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and a Cisco router. The Chapter also explains what I did in my lab and provides examples of trace files.
Appendix A includes a short introduction to the RFC process and authorities and provides a list of relevant RFCs for IPv6. Appendix B reflects the chapter organization of the book and provides summaries of all indexes, protocol numbers, message types, and address allocations. Appendix C is your best place for getting quick information if you are configuring or troubleshooting IPv6.
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