ACSP Suggestion 2008.20: Create IPv4 to IPv6 Conversion Table
Suggestion
Author: Nick Lewis
Submitted On: 25 September 2008
Description:
In an effort to advance the conversion to IPv6 from IPv4, could a static conversion table from IPv4 addresses to IPv6 addresses be created and made available? The static table should be a one for one conversion and would not take into consideration the current IPv4 address. This is to avoid claims of favoritism. An alternative would be to reserve the IPv6 address that contains the first IPv4 address in the first four positions followed by 127.192. For example, the IPv4 address of 127.0.0.1 would be associated with the IPv6 address of 127.0.0.1.127.192. By reserving and maintaining the ownership of these unique IPv6 addresses, then the US can move forward with transitioning to IPv6 at a swifter pace. Network manufactures and operating system writers could use the static conversion technique to ensure that traffic is properly routed to IPv6 locations. The static table would also allow IPv6 clients to instantly locate current IPv4 address clients by use of either software or hardware forwarding.
This should be done immediately before the IPv6 address space is given out in blocks as the IPv4 address space was handled. Because of the high number of IPv6 addresses, the use of large address blocks by company should be obsolete.
Timeframe: Immediate
Status: Closed Updated: 14 October 2008
Tracking Information
ARIN Comment
14 October 2008
Your suggestion is best suited for submission to one of the IPv6 working groups within the Internet Engineering Task Force (http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/wg-dir.html). IETF has been and continues to be the standards body for Internet engineering related work encompassing ideas such as yours.
ARIN provides services related to the technical coordination and management of Internet number resources such as IPv4 and IPv6 address space and Autonomous System Numbers. ARIN administers and manages these Internet number resources in accordance with both ARIN policies as well as standards established by the IETF.