Enterprise Multihoming using Provider-Assigned IPv6 Addresses without Network Prefix Translation: Requirements and Solutions
draft-ietf-rtgwg-enterprise-pa-multihoming-12
Technical Summary
Connecting an enterprise site to multiple ISPs using provider-
assigned addresses is difficult without the use of some form of
Network Address Translation (NAT). Much has been written on this
topic over the last 10 to 15 years, but it still remains a problem
without a clearly defined or widely implemented solution. Any
multihoming solution without NAT requires hosts at the site to have
addresses from each ISP and to select the egress ISP by selecting a
source address for outgoing packets. It also requires routers at the
site to take into account those source addresses when forwarding
packets out towards the ISPs.
This document attempts to define a complete solution to this problem.
It covers the behavior of routers to forward traffic taking into
account source address, and it covers the behavior of host to select
appropriate source addresses. It also covers any possible role that
routers might play in providing information to hosts to help them
select appropriate source addresses. In the process of exploring
potential solutions, this document also makes explicit requirements
for how the solution would be expected to behave from the perspective
of an enterprise site network administrator.
Working Group Summary
There was significant discussion on the list and, as a result, the document went through six revisions.
However, there was general consensus that the document should be published
Document Quality
The document does not specify a protocol. However, it does describe a real operational problem.
Personnel
Ron Bonica is Document Shepherd.
Martin Vigoureux is Area Director