Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer History and Overview
Background
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4), which was invented in the 1970s, is based on a 32-bit (4-byte) architecture that ultimately limits total global available address space to 4,294,967,296 unique addresses. Rapidly expanding global reliance on the Internet, personal computers, peripherals, wireless communication devices and sensors exhausted all available IPv4 addresses in early 2011. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) started work in the 1990s on IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) to deal with address depletion and other limitations of IPv4. Since IPv6 is based on a 128-bit (16-byte) addressing architecture, the number of available IPv6 addresses is approximately equal to 10 to the 37th power, which is enough to address every atom in the universe. IPv6 has been adopted by the US Government and DoD to satisfy future device and address needs, creating the requirement for a seamless translator to provide continued use of legacy IPv4 systems until full IPv6 conversion can occur.
In 2003 the DoD mandated all DoD operational systems and coordinating U.S. Federal Agencies migrate to IPv6 beginning in 2008. Recognizing such a move would render existing IPv4-based legacy systems incompatible with, and non-accessible by IPv6, the DoD sought commercial solutions to create IPv4 to IPv6 translators to preserve access to legacy systems still relevant to daily operations. Datatek Applications responded to the U.S. Army request and was awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II contracts to meet these translator requirements. The Army also started a Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) to award funds to promising SBIR technologies to bring them to the point where they could be commercialized. Datatek Applications was 1 on 25 companies out of 400 that was selected for the first CPP award. During the course of the SBIR and CPP contracts, Datatek worked closely with the U.S. Army on an evolving product roadmap and added key features and functionality. Today, the Datatek Applications IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is commercially available and for sale in the United States and Canada.
Who is Affected by the Transition to IPv6?
The last available blocks of IPv4 addresses were allocated to Regional Internet Registries in early 2011. These blocks are currently being allocated to local Internet Service Providers (ISP). When these blocks are fully allocated to the ISPS, there will be no more IPv4 addresses issued. For future economic growth, all Internet Protocol addresses will have to be IPv6. This problem affects everyone with an existing IPv4 address today and those who will require an IP address tomorrow. With the explosive growth in mobile devices, sensors and computers, IPv6 will become increasingly more important. However, this conversion to IPv6 will not happen overnight. The transition to IPv6 will be gradual over the next 10 years. Commercial, US Government and DoD users worldwide will need to interoperate between IPv4 and IPv6 until all IPv4 devices are converted or retired. The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer will help ease this transition.
The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer
Datatek's current IPv4-IPv6 Transformer, as shown below, is designed to work with one IPv4 legacy device only. It is available as a rack-mountable unit measuring 19" W x 8" D x 1.75" H. It uses a state-of-the-art high-performance processor, and IPv4-IPv6 translation operates at wire speeds ranging from 10-100Mbps per port. Datatek's engineering staff has examined the software and hardware architecture of the Transformer and concluded the next generation of the product can be developed to support multiple IPv4 systems.
The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is shown in the illustration below operating with both IPv4 and IPv6 networks in a dual-stack fashion. The IPv4-IPv6 Transformer enables an IPv4 host to continue to operate with other IPv4 hosts with no disruptions.
Protocol and address translation are implemented seamlessly as are higher-level protocol mediation and termination functions such as DNS, ICMP, DHCP and ARP.
The IPv4-IPv6 Transformer platform is based on proven design experience that has evolved from Datatek's highly reliable and robust carrier-class line of protocol mediation products.
Major Benefits
-Instantly adds IPv6 capabilities to your embedded base of IPv4 legacy equipment
-No disruption to continued IPv4 operations - IPv4 hosts continue to communicate with other IPv4 hosts
-Transparent solution - no software or hardware changes required for your legacy equipment
-IPv4-IPv6 Address and Protocol translation
-IPsecv3 IP security features added to legacy IPv4 systems
-DNS query/reply translator automatically configures the Transformer
-DHCP server automatically configures the legacy host
-Easy to configure via Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
-DNS and FTP Application Layer Gateways (ALG)
-SNMP Management
-IPv6 Multicast support
-CSA and FCC Certified
-No hard disk
-Low power design
-No cooling fans
IPv6 Migration Solution
The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer addresses these major IPv6 migration objectives:
-Extend the life of legacy IPv4 systems
-Avoid costly hardware and software upgrades
-Reduce operational costs of legacy IPv4 systems
-Accelerate migration to IPv6
Product Certification
The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is a fully functioning network device that has been used and tested in the Pentagon, the White House Communications Agency, Veterans Affairs Dept, the US Air Force, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Army Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC) and the Army PM Battle Command Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). It has been tested at the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) at Ft. Huachuca, AZ and been included on the DOD IPv6 Approved Products List (APL). IPv6 products must be on the APL in order to be purchased by US Government and DOD customers. The Datatek Transformer participated as an interoperability trial at Coalition Warrrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) 2008 and named to its 'Most Promising Technologies' list.
Datatek's IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is currently being tested by the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) for conformance with the IPv6 Forum's IPv6 Ready Gold Logo. It is also being certified against the US Government's IPv6 (USGv6) Profile. After these certifications are obtained, the Transformer will be certified against the DoD's Unified Capabilities Requirements (UCR) for IPv6, at the Joint Interoperability Test Command, Ft. Huachuca, AZ.
Datatek's IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is evolving and will play a key role in future network topologies. The features under development now for sale in 2012 include:
-Multiple Host Support/Translation Server to reduce per-port cost
-Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) support
-Internet Key Exchange (IKE) support
Future Commitment
Datatek has developed a complete business and marketing plan to aid its customers planning their IPv6 Transition. The IPv4-IPv6 Transformer is the first of many products and services being planned to help you survive the coming transition to IPv6. Contact us for further information or to schedule a free trial.
