Industry Specification Group (ISG) IPv6 Integration (IPE) Activity Report 2022

Chair: Latif Ladid, IPv6 Forum, Université de Luxembourg

Realizing the full vision of ‘IPv6 on everything’, and facilitating the business success of this technology across a wide range of applications and use cases.

Numerous technology innovations – including 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, hybrid multi-cloud systems, edge computing and automation – are rapidly gaining momentum. As more and more devices including vehicles, sensors and home appliances become connected, ‘IP on Everything’ is becoming a significant industry trend. In this context, the transition to IPv6 is inevitable due to IPv4 address shortages.

ETSI’s Industry Specification Group on IPv6 Enhanced innovation (ISG IPE) tackles increasing industry needs for IPv6 adoption in multiple use cases and scenarios.

The group aims to identify and describe IPv6 based solutions, assessing the derived requirements and reference architectures that are needed to enable the deployment of IPv6 across the new and evolving technology domains. Its focus is also on the automated IPv6 networking end-to-end reference architecture by introducing a horizontal approach that complements the activities of other SDOs.

In addition, ISG IPE has begun working on proofs of concept foreseeing IPv6 trials and real-life deployments to showcase innovation on IPv6 networking topics and validate standards-based approaches. Further goals of the group are to facilitate rapid adoption of IPv6, enhance the industry ecosystem, accelerate innovation and to share best practices that will allow the smooth transition to IPv6-only solutions.

2022 marked publication of six new reports, augmenting the first phase of deliverables since IPE started work in 2021:

GR IPE 002 ‘IPv6 based Data Centres, Network and Cloud Integration’ identifies and describes a series of emerging IPv6-based use cases and scenarios.

GR IPE 005 ‘5G Transport over IPv6 and SRv6’ provides guidance on implementing an IPv6/SRv6 infrastructure for transporting 5G services.

GR IPE 006 ‘IPv6 and Cloud using DataBlock Matrix for Food Supply Chain Tracking and Tracing’ highlights use cases and scenarios where IPv6 and blockchain technology offers great value in the design of scalable Food Supply Chain networks.

GR IPE 009 ‘SRv6 based SFC for Value-Added Service in an Operator Network’ analyzes the requirements and scenarios of SFC (Service Function Chaining) in the operator network, together with a scheme design for operator providing value-added services using SRv6 based SFC.

GR IPE 010 ‘Proof of Concepts Framework’ is intended to encourage the development of an open IPE ecosystem by integrating components from different players.

GR IPE 012 ‘IPv6-based Blockchain’ outlines objectives, technology guidelines, benefits, risks, challenges and milestones on the impact of IPv6 on blockchain.

During the year work meanwhile continued on further new Group Reports addressing:

  • Transition to ‘IPv6 Only’
  • IPv6 based enterprise networking and Industrial Internet
  • IPv6-based 5G for Connected and Automated Mobility
  • Requirements of the IPv6 Ready Logo Programme for IoT and 6TiSCH
  • Implementing cryptographically generated addresses (CGA) for use with IPv6 protocols
  • Real life case of IPv6 deployment in a university
  • Testing & Validation of IPv6 / SRv6 networks