Internet Engineering Task Force E. Jankiewicz
Internet-Draft SRI International
Intended status: Informational J. Loughney
Expires: April 29, 2011 Nokia
T. Narten
IBM Corporation
October 26, 2010
IPv6 Node Requirements RFC 4294-bis
draft-ietf-6man-node-req-bis-06.txt
Abstract
This document defines requirements for IPv6 nodes. It is expected
that IPv6 will be deployed in a wide range of devices and situations.
Specifying the requirements for IPv6 nodes allows IPv6 to function
well and interoperate in a large number of situations and
deployments.
Status of this Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute
working documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet-
Drafts is at http://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.
Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
This Internet-Draft will expire on April 29, 2011.
Copyright Notice
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document authors. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
1. Requirements Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1. Scope of This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2. Description of IPv6 Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Abbreviations Used in This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Sub-IP Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. IP Layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.1. Internet Protocol Version 6 - RFC 2460 . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.2. Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 4861 . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.3. SEcure Neighbor Discovery (SEND) - RFC 3971 . . . . . . . 8
5.4. IPv6 Router Advertisement Flags Option - RFC 5175 . . . . 9
5.5. Path MTU Discovery and Packet Size . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.5.1. Path MTU Discovery - RFC 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.6. IPv6 Jumbograms - RFC 2675 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.7. ICMP for the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) - RFC
4443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.8. Addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.8.1. IP Version 6 Addressing Architecture - RFC 4291 . . . 9
5.8.2. IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration - RFC 4862 . 9
5.8.3. Privacy Extensions for Address Configuration in
IPv6 - RFC 4941 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.8.4. Default Address Selection for IPv6 - RFC 3484 . . . . 10
5.8.5. Stateful Address Autoconfiguration . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.9. Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6 - RFC 2710 . . 11
6. DHCP vs. Router Advertisement Options for Host
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7. DNS and DHCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.1. DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.2. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)
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- RFC 3315 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7.2.1. Other Configuration Information . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7.2.2. Use of Router Advertisements in Managed
Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7.3. IPv6 Router Advertisement Options for DNS
Configuration - RFC XXXX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8. IPv4 Support and Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8.1. Transition Mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8.1.1. Basic Transition Mechanisms for IPv6 Hosts and
Routers - RFC 4213 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
9. Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
10. Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
10.1. Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
10.2. Transforms and Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
11. Router-Specific Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
11.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
11.1.1. IPv6 Router Alert Option - RFC 2711 . . . . . . . . . 16
11.1.2. Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 4861 . . . . . . . . 16
12. Network Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12.1. Management Information Base Modules (MIBs) . . . . . . . . 16
12.1.1. IP Forwarding Table MIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12.1.2. Management Information Base for the Internet
Protocol (IP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
13. Open Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
14. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
15. Authors and Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
15.1. Authors and Acknowledgments (Current Document) . . . . . . 17
15.2. Authors and Acknowledgments From RFC 4279 . . . . . . . . 17
16. Appendix: Changes from -05 to -06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
17. Appendix: Changes from -04 to -05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
18. Appendix: Changes from -03 to -04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
19. Appendix: Changes from RFC 4294 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
20. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
20.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
20.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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1. Requirements Language
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [RFC2119].
2. Introduction
The goal of this document is to define the common functionality
required from both IPv6 hosts and routers. Many IPv6 nodes will
implement optional or additional features, but this document collects
and summarizes requirements from other published Standards Track
documents in one place.
This document tries to avoid discussion of protocol details, and
references RFCs for this purpose. This document is intended to be an
Applicability Statement and provide guidance as to which IPv6
specifications should be implemented in the general case, and which
specification may be of interest to specific deployment scenarios.
This document does not update any individual protocol document RFCs.
Although the document points to different specifications, it should
be noted that in many cases, the granularity of a particular
requirement will be smaller than a single specification, as many
specifications define multiple, independent pieces, some of which may
not be mandatory. In addition, most specifications define both
client and server behavior in the same specification, while many
implementations will be focused on only one of those roles.
This document defines a minimal level of requirement needed for a
device to provide useful internet service and considers a broad range
of device types and deployment scenarios. Because of the wide range
of deployment scenarios, the minimal requirements specified in this
document may not be sufficient for all deployment scenarios. It is
perfectly reasonable (and indeed expected) for other profiles to
define additional or stricter requirements appropriate for specific
usage and deployment environments. For example, this document does
not mandate that all clients support DHCP, but some some deployment
scenarios may deem it appropriate to make such a requirement. As one
specific example, the USGv6 [USGv6] profile includes speciallized
requirements for its target environment.
As it is not always possible for an implementer to know the exact
usage of IPv6 in a node, an overriding requirement for IPv6 nodes is
that they should adhere to Jon Postel's Robustness Principle:
Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from
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others [RFC0793].
2.1. Scope of This Document
IPv6 covers many specifications. It is intended that IPv6 will be
deployed in many different situations and environments. Therefore,
it is important to develop the requirements for IPv6 nodes to ensure
interoperability.
This document assumes that all IPv6 nodes meet the minimum
requirements specified here.
2.2. Description of IPv6 Nodes
From the Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification [RFC2460],
we have the following definitions:
Description of an IPv6 Node
- a device that implements IPv6.
Description of an IPv6 router
- a node that forwards IPv6 packets not explicitly addressed to
itself.
Description of an IPv6 Host
- any node that is not a router.
3. Abbreviations Used in This Document
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
AH Authentication Header
DAD Duplicate Address Detection
ESP Encapsulating Security Payload
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol
IKE Internet Key Exchange
MIB Management Information Base
MLD Multicast Listener Discovery
MTU Maximum Transfer Unit
NA Neighbor Advertisement
NBMA Non-Broadcast Multiple Access
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ND Neighbor Discovery
NS Neighbor Solicitation
NUD Neighbor Unreachability Detection
PPP Point-to-Point Protocol
PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit
SVC Switched Virtual Circuit
4. Sub-IP Layer
An IPv6 node must include support for one or more IPv6 link-layer
specifications. Which link-layer specifications an implementation
should include will depend upon what link-layers are supported by the
hardware available on the system. It is possible for a conformant
IPv6 node to support IPv6 on some of its interfaces and not on
others.
As IPv6 is run over new layer 2 technologies, it is expected that new
specifications will be issued. In the following, we list some of the
link-layers for which an IPv6 specification has been developed. It
is provided for information purposes only, and may not be complete.
- Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Ethernet Networks [RFC2464]
- IPv6 over ATM Networks [RFC2492]
- Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Frame Relay Networks
Specification [RFC2590]
- Transmission of IPv6 Packets over IEEE 1394 Networks [RFC3146]
- Transmission of IPv6, IPv4, and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
Packets over Fibre Channel [RFC4338]
- Transmission of IPv6 Packets over IEEE 802.15.4 Networks [RFC4944]
- Transmission of IPv6 via the IPv6 Convergence Sublayer over IEEE
802.16 Networks [RFC5121]
- IP version 6 over PPP [RFC5072]
In addition to traditional physical link-layers, it is also possible
to tunnel IPv6 over other protocols. Examples include:
- Teredo: Tunneling IPv6 over UDP through Network Address
Translations (NATs) [RFC4380]
- Transmission of IPv6 over IPv4 Domains without Explicit Tunnels
[RFC2529]
5. IP Layer
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5.1. Internet Protocol Version 6 - RFC 2460
The Internet Protocol Version 6 is specified in [RFC2460]. This
specification MUST be supported.
Unrecognized options in Hop-by-Hop Options or Destination Options
extensions MUST be processed as described in RFC 2460.
The node MUST follow the packet transmission rules in RFC 2460.
Nodes MUST always be able to send, receive, and process fragment
headers. All conformant IPv6 implementations MUST be capable of
sending and receiving IPv6 packets; the forwarding functionality MAY
be supported.
RFC 2460 specifies extension headers and the processing for these
headers.
A full implementation of IPv6 includes implementation of the
following extension headers: Hop-by-Hop Options, Routing (Type 0),
Fragment, Destination Options, Authentication and Encapsulating
Security Payload [RFC2460].
An IPv6 node MUST be able to process these headers. An exception is
Routing Header type 0 (RH0) which was deprecated by [RFC5095] due to
security concerns, and which MUST be treated as an unrecognized
routing type.
5.2. Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 4861
Neighbor Discovery SHOULD be supported. [RFC4861] states:
Unless specified otherwise (in a document that covers operating IP
over a particular link type) this document applies to all link
types. However, because ND uses link-layer multicast for some of
its services, it is possible that on some link types (e.g., NBMA
links) alternative protocols or mechanisms to implement those
services will be specified (in the appropriate document covering
the operation of IP over a particular link type). The services
described in this document that are not directly dependent on
multicast, such as Redirects, Next-hop determination, Neighbor
Unreachability Detection, etc., are expected to be provided as
specified in this document. The details of how one uses ND on
NBMA links is an area for further study.
Some detailed analysis of Neighbor Discovery follows:
Router Discovery is how hosts locate routers that reside on an
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attached link. Hosts MUST support Router Discovery functionality.
Prefix Discovery is how hosts discover the set of address prefixes
that define which destinations are on-link for an attached link.
Hosts MUST support Prefix discovery.
Hosts MUST also implement Neighbor Unreachability Detection (NUD) for
all paths between hosts and neighboring nodes. NUD is not required
for paths between routers. However, all nodes MUST respond to
unicast Neighbor Solicitation (NS) messages.
Hosts MUST support the sending of Router Solicitations and the
recieving of Router Advertisements. The ability to understand
individual Router Advertisement options is dependent on supporting
the functionality making use of the particular option.
All nodes MUST support the Sending and Receiving of Neighbor
Solicitation (NS) and Neighbor Advertisement (NA) messages. NS and
NA messages are required for Duplicate Address Detection (DAD).
Hosts SHOULD support the processing of Redirect functionality.
Routers MUST support the sending of Redirects, though not necessarily
for every individual packet (e.g., due to rate limiting). Redirects
are only useful on networks supporting hosts. In core networks
dominated by routers, redirects are typically disabled. The sending
of redirects SHOULD be disabled by default on backbone routers. They
MAY be enabled by default on routers intended to support hosts on
edge networks.
5.3. SEcure Neighbor Discovery (SEND) - RFC 3971
SEND [RFC3971] and Cryptographically Generated Address (CGA)
[RFC3972] provide a way to secure the message exchanges of Neighbor
Discovery. SEND is a new technology, in that it has no IPv4
counterpart but it has significant potential to address certain
classes of spoofing attacks. While there have been some
implementations of SEND, there has been only limited deployment
experience to date in using the technology. In addition, the IETF
working group Cga & Send maIntenance (csi) is currently working on
additional extensions intended to make SEND more attractive for
deployment.
At this time, SEND is considered optional and IPv6 nodes MAY provide
SEND functionality.
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5.4. IPv6 Router Advertisement Flags Option - RFC 5175
Router Advertisements include an 8-bit field of single-bit Router
Advertisement flags. The Router Advertisement Flags Option extends
the number of available flag bits by 48 bits. At the time of this
writing, 6 of the original 8 bit flags have been assigned, while 2
remain available for future assignment. No flags have been defined
that make use of the new option, and thus strictly speaking, there is
no requirement to implement the option today. However,
implementations that are able to pass unrecognized options to a
higher level entity that may be able to understand them (e.g., a
user-level process using a "raw socket" facility), MAY take steps to
handle the option in anticipation of a future usage.
5.5. Path MTU Discovery and Packet Size
5.5.1. Path MTU Discovery - RFC 1981
From [RFC2460]:
It is strongly recommended that IPv6 nodes implement Path MTU
Discovery [RFC1981], in order to discover and take advantage of
path MTUs greater than 1280 octets. However, a minimal IPv6
implementation (e.g., in a boot ROM) may simply restrict itself to
sending packets no larger than 1280 octets, and omit
implementation of Path MTU Discovery.
The rules in RFC 2460 MUST be followed for packet fragmentation and
reassembly.
5.6. IPv6 Jumbograms - RFC 2675
IPv6 Jumbograms [RFC2675] MAY be supported.
5.7. ICMP for the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) - RFC 4443
ICMPv6 [RFC4443] MUST be supported.
5.8. Addressing
5.8.1. IP Version 6 Addressing Architecture - RFC 4291
The IPv6 Addressing Architecture [RFC4291] MUST be supported.
5.8.2. IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration - RFC 4862
Hosts MUST support IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration as
defined in [RFC4862]. Static address may be supported as well.
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Nodes that are routers MUST be able to generate link local addresses
as described in RFC 4862 [RFC4862].
From 4862:
The autoconfiguration process specified in this document applies
only to hosts and not routers. Since host autoconfiguration uses
information advertised by routers, routers will need to be
configured by some other means. However, it is expected that
routers will generate link-local addresses using the mechanism
described in this document. In addition, routers are expected to
successfully pass the Duplicate Address Detection procedure
described in this document on all addresses prior to assigning
them to an interface.
All nodes MUST implement Duplicate Address Detection. Quoting from
Section 5.4 of RFC 4862:
Duplicate Address Detection MUST be performed on all unicast
addresses prior to assigning them to an interface, regardless of
whether they are obtained through stateless autoconfiguration,
DHCPv6, or manual configuration, with the following exceptions:
5.8.3. Privacy Extensions for Address Configuration in IPv6 - RFC 4941
Privacy Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration [RFC4941]
addresses a specific problem involving a client device whose user is
concerned about its activity or location being tracked. The problem
arises both for a static client and for one that regularly changes
its point of attachment to the Internet. When using Stateless
Address Autoconfiguration [RFC4862], the Interface Identifier portion
of formed addresses stays constant and is globally unique. Thus,
although a node's global IPv6 address will change if it changes its
point of attachment, the Interface Identifier portion of those
addresses remain the same, making it possible for servers to track
the location of an individual device as it moves around, or its
pattern of activity if it remains in one place. This may raise
privacy concerns as described in [RFC4862].
In such situations, RFC4941 SHOULD be implemented. In other cases,
such as with dedicated servers in a data center, RFC4941 provides
limited or no benefit.
5.8.4. Default Address Selection for IPv6 - RFC 3484
The rules specified in the Default Address Selection for IPv6
[RFC3484] document MUST be implemented. IPv6 nodes will need to deal
with multiple addresses configured simultaneously, .
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5.8.5. Stateful Address Autoconfiguration
DHCP can be used to obtain and configure addresses. In general, a
network may provide for the configuration of addresses through Router
Advertisements, DHCP or both. At the present time, the configuration
of stateless address autoconfiguraiton is more widely implemented in
hosts than address configuration through DHCP. However, some
environments may require the use of DHCP and may not support the
configuration of addresses via RAs. Implementations should be aware
of what operating environment their devices will be deployed. Hosts
MAY implement address configuration via DHCP.
In the absence of a router, IPv6 nodes using DHCP for address
assignment MAY initiate DHCP to obtain IPv6 addresses and other
configuration information, as described in Section 5.5.2 of
[RFC4862].
5.9. Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6 - RFC 2710
Nodes that need to join multicast groups MUST support MLDv1
[RFC3590]. MLDv1 is needed by any node that is expected to receive
and process multicast traffic. Note that Neighbor Discovery (as used
on most link types -- see Section 5.2) depends on multicast and
requires that nodes join Solicited Node multicast addresses.
Nodes that need to join multicast groups SHOULD implement MLDv2
[RFC3810]. However, if the node has applications that only need
support for Any-Source Multicast [RFC3569], the node MAY implement
MLDv1 [RFC2710] instead. If the node has applications that need
support for Source-Specific Multicast [RFC3569], [RFC4607], the node
MUST support MLDv2 [RFC3810]. In all cases, nodes are strongly
encouraged to implement MLDv2 rather than MLDv1, as the presence of a
single MLDv1 participant on a link requires that all other nodes on
the link operate in version 1 compatibility mode.
When MLDv1 is used, the rules in the Source Address Selection for the
Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) Protocol [RFC3590] MUST be
followed.
6. DHCP vs. Router Advertisement Options for Host Configuration
In IPv6, there are two main protocol mechanisms for propagating
configuration information to hosts: Router Advertisements and DHCP.
Historically, RA options have been restricted to those deemed
essential for basic network functioning and for which all nodes are
configured with exactly the same information. Examples include the
Prefix Information Options, the MTU option, etc. On the other hand,
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DHCP has generally been preferred for configuration of more general
parameters and for parameters that may be client-specific. That
said, identifying the exact line on whether a particular option
should be configured via DHCP vs. an RA option has not always been
easy. Generally speaking, however, there has been a desire to define
only one mechanism for configuring a given option, rather than
defining multiple (different) ways of configurating the same
information.
One issue with having multiple ways of configuring the same
information is that if a host choses one mechanism, but the network
operator chooses a different mechanism, interoperability suffers.
For "closed" environments, where the network operator has significant
influence over what devices connect to the network and thus what
configuration mechanisms they support, the operator may be able to
ensure that a particular mechanism is supported by all connected
hosts. In more open environments, however, where arbitrary devices
may connect (e.g., a WIFI hotspot), problems can arise. To maximize
interoperability in such environments hosts may need to implement
multiple configuration mechanisms to ensure interoperability.
Originally in IPv6, configuring information about DNS servers was
performed exclusively via DHCP. In 2007, an RA option was defined,
but was published as Experimental [RFC5006]. In 2010, "IPv6 Router
Advertisement Options for DNS Configuration" was placed on the
Standards Track. Consequently, DNS configuration information can now
be learned either through DHCP or through RAs. Hosts will need to
decide which mechanism (or whether both) should be implemented.
7. DNS and DHCP
7.1. DNS
DNS is described in [RFC1034], [RFC1035], [RFC3363], and [RFC3596].
Not all nodes will need to resolve names; those that will never need
to resolve DNS names do not need to implement resolver functionality.
However, the ability to resolve names is a basic infrastructure
capability that applications rely on and generally needs to be
supported. All nodes that need to resolve names SHOULD implement
stub-resolver [RFC1034] functionality, as in RFC 1034, Section 5.3.1,
with support for:
- AAAA type Resource Records [RFC3596];
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- reverse addressing in ip6.arpa using PTR records [RFC3596];
- EDNS0 [RFC2671] to allow for DNS packet sizes larger than 512
octets.
Those nodes are RECOMMENDED to support DNS security extensions
[RFC4033], [RFC4034], and [RFC4035].
Those nodes are NOT RECOMMENDED to support the experimental A6
Resource Records [RFC3363].
7.2. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6) - RFC 3315
7.2.1. Other Configuration Information
IPv6 nodes use DHCP to obtain address configuration information (See
Section 5.8.5) and to obtain additional (non-address) configuration.
If a host implementation supports applications or other protocols
that require configuration that is only available via DHCP, hosts
SHOULD implement DHCP. For specialized devices on which no such
configuration need is present, DHCP may not be necessary.
An IPv6 node can use the subset of DHCP (described in [RFC3736]) to
obtain other configuration information.
7.2.2. Use of Router Advertisements in Managed Environments
Nodes using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)
are expected to determine their default router information and on-
link prefix information from received Router Advertisements.
7.3. IPv6 Router Advertisement Options for DNS Configuration - RFC XXXX
Router Advertisements have historically limited options to those that
are critical to basic IPv6 functioning. Originally, DNS
configuration was not included as an RA option and DHCP was the
recommended way to obtain DNS configuration information. Over time,
the thinking surrounding such an option has evolved. It is now
generally recognized that few nodes can function adequately without
having access to a working DNS resolver. RFC 5006 was published as
an experimental document in 2007, and recently, a revised version was
placed on the Standards Track [I-D.I-D.ietf-6man-dns-options-bis].
Implementations SHOULD implement the DNS RA option.
8. IPv4 Support and Transition
IPv6 nodes MAY support IPv4.
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8.1. Transition Mechanisms
8.1.1. Basic Transition Mechanisms for IPv6 Hosts and Routers - RFC
4213
If an IPv6 node implements dual stack and tunneling, then [RFC4213]
MUST be supported.
9. Mobility
Mobile IPv6 [RFC3775] and associated specifications [RFC3776]
[RFC4877] allow a node to change its point of attachment within the
Internet, while maintaining (and using) a permanent address. All
communication using the permanent address continues to proceed as
expected even as the node moves around. The definition of Mobile IP
includes requirements for the following types of nodes:
- mobile nodes
- correspondent nodes with support for route optimization
- home agents
- all IPv6 routers
At the present time, Mobile IP has seen only limited implementation
and no significant deployment, partly because it originally assumed
an IPv6-only environment, rather than a mixed IPv4/IPv6 Internet.
Recently, additional work has been done to support mobility in mixed-
mode IPv4 and IPv6 networks[RFC5555].
More usage and deployment experience is needed with mobility before
any one can be recommended for broad implementation in all hosts and
routers. Consequently, [RFC3775], [RFC5555], and associated
standards such as [RFC4877] are considered a MAY at this time.
10. Security
This section describes the specification for security for IPv6 nodes.
Achieving security in practice is a complex undertaking. Operational
procedures, protocols, key distribution mechanisms, certificate
management approaches, etc. are all components that impact the level
of security actually achieved in practice. More importantly,
deficiencies or a poor fit in any one individual component can
significantly reduce the overall effectiveness of a particular
security approach.
IPsec provides channel security at the Internet layer, making it
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possible to provide secure communication for all (or a subset of)
communication flows at the IP layer between pairs of internet nodes.
IPsec provides sufficient flexibility and granularity that individual
TCP connections can (selectively) be protected, etc.
Although IPsec can be used with manual keying in some cases, such
usage has limited applicability and is not recommended.
A range of security technologies and approaches proliferate today
(e.g., IPsec, TLS, SSH, etc.) No one approach has emerged as an
ideal technology for all needs and environments. Moreover, IPsec is
not viewed as the ideal security technology in all cases and is
unlikely to displace the others.
Previously, IPv6 mandated implementation of IPsec and recommended the
key management approach of IKE. This document updates that
recommendation by making support of the IP Security Architecture [RFC
4301] a SHOULD for all IPv6 nodes. Note that the IPsec Architecture
requires (e.g., Sec. 4.5 of RFC 4301) the implementation of both
manual and automatic key management. Currently the default automated
key management protocol to implement is IKEv2.
This document recognizes that there exists a range of device types
and environments where other approaches to security than IPsec can be
justified. For example, special-purpose devices may support only a
very limited number or type of applications and an application-
specific security approach may be sufficient for limited management
or configuration capabilities. Alternatively, some devices my run on
extremely constrained hardware (e.g., sensors) where the full IP
Security Architecture is not justified.
10.1. Requirements
"Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol" [RFC4301] SHOULD be
supported by all IPv6 nodes. Note that the IPsec Architecture
requires (e.g., Sec. 4.5 of RFC 4301) the implementation of both
manual and automatic key management. Currently the default automated
key management protocol to implement is IKEv2.
10.2. Transforms and Algorithms
The current set of mandatory-to-implement algorithms for the IP
Security Architcture are defined in 'Cryptographic Algorithm
Implementation Requirements For ESP and AH' [RFC4835]. IPv6 nodes
implementing the IP Security Architecture MUST conform to the
requirements in [RFC4835]. Preferred cryptographic algorithms often
change more frequently than security protocols. Therefore
implementations MUST allow for migration in new algorithms, as
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RFC4835 is replaced or updated in the future.
11. Router-Specific Functionality
This section defines general host considerations for IPv6 nodes that
act as routers. Currently, this section does not discuss routing-
specific requirements.
11.1. General
11.1.1. IPv6 Router Alert Option - RFC 2711
The IPv6 Router Alert Option [RFC2711] is an optional IPv6 Hop-by-Hop
Header that is used in conjunction with some protocols (e.g., RSVP
[RFC2205] or MLD [RFC2710]). The Router Alert option will need to be
implemented whenever protocols that mandate its usage are
implemented. See Section 5.8.5.
11.1.2. Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 4861
Sending Router Advertisements and processing Router Solicitation MUST
be supported.
12. Network Management
Network Management MAY be supported by IPv6 nodes. However, for IPv6
nodes that are embedded devices, network management may be the only
possible way of controlling these nodes.
12.1. Management Information Base Modules (MIBs)
The following two MIBs SHOULD be supported by nodes that support an
SNMP agent.
12.1.1. IP Forwarding Table MIB
IP Forwarding Table MIB [RFC4292] SHOULD be supported by nodes that
support an SNMP agent.
12.1.2. Management Information Base for the Internet Protocol (IP)
IP MIB [RFC4293] SHOULD be supported by nodes that support an SNMP
agent.
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13. Open Issues
1. None?
14. Security Considerations
This document does not directly affect the security of the Internet,
beyond the security considerations associated with the individual
protocols.
Security is also discussed in Section 10 above.
15. Authors and Acknowledgments
15.1. Authors and Acknowledgments (Current Document)
15.2. Authors and Acknowledgments From RFC 4279
The original version of this document (RFC 4279) was written by the
IPv6 Node Requirements design team:
Jari Arkko
jari.arkko@ericsson.com
Marc Blanchet
marc.blanchet@viagenie.qc.ca
Samita Chakrabarti
samita.chakrabarti@eng.sun.com
Alain Durand
alain.durand@sun.com
Gerard Gastaud
gerard.gastaud@alcatel.fr
Jun-ichiro itojun Hagino
itojun@iijlab.net
Atsushi Inoue
inoue@isl.rdc.toshiba.co.jp
Masahiro Ishiyama
masahiro@isl.rdc.toshiba.co.jp
John Loughney
john.loughney@nokia.com
Rajiv Raghunarayan
raraghun@cisco.com
Shoichi Sakane
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shouichi.sakane@jp.yokogawa.com
Dave Thaler
dthaler@windows.microsoft.com
Juha Wiljakka
juha.wiljakka@Nokia.com
The authors would like to thank Ran Atkinson, Jim Bound, Brian
Carpenter, Ralph Droms, Christian Huitema, Adam Machalek, Thomas
Narten, Juha Ollila, and Pekka Savola for their comments. Thanks to
Mark Andrews for comments and corrections on DNS text. Thanks to
Alfred Hoenes for tracking the updates to various RFCs.
16. Appendix: Changes from -05 to -06
1. Completely revised IPsec/IKEv2 section. Text has been discussed
by 6man and saag.
2. Added text to introduction clarifying that this document applies
to general nodes and that other profiles may be more specific in
their requirements
3. Editorial cleanups in Neighbor Discovery section in particular.
Text made more crisp.
4. Moved some of the DHCP text around. Moved stateful address
discussion to Section 5.8.5.
5. Added additional nuance to the redirect requirements w.r.t.
default configuration setting.
17. Appendix: Changes from -04 to -05
1. Cleaned up IPsec section, but key questions (MUST vs. SHOULD)
still open.
2. Added background section on DHCP vs. RA options.
3. Added SHOULD recommendation for DNS configuration vi RAs
(RFC5006bis).
4. Cleaned up DHCP section, as it was referring to the M&O bits.
5. Cleaned up the Security Considerations Section.
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18. Appendix: Changes from -03 to -04
1. Updated the Introduction to indicate document is an applicabity
statement
2. Updated the section on Mobility protocols
3. Changed Sub-IP Layer Section to just list relevant RFCs, and
added some more RFCs.
4. Added Section on SEND (make it a MAY)
5. Redid Section on Privacy Extensions (RFC4941) to add more nuance
to recommendation
6. Redid section on Mobility, and added additional RFCs [
19. Appendix: Changes from RFC 4294
This appendix keeps track of the chances from RFC 4294
1. Section 5.1, removed "and DNAME" from the discussion about RFC-
3363.
2. RFC 2463 references updated to RFC 4443.
3. RFC 3513 references updated to RFC 4291.
4. RFC 3152 references updated to RFC 3596.
5. RFC 2893 references updated to RFC 4213.
6. AH [RFC4302] support chanced from MUST to MAY.
7. The reference for RFC 3152 has been deleted, as the RFC has been
obsoleted, and has been incorporated into RFC 3596.
8. The reference for RFC 3879 has been removed as the material from
RFC 3879 has been incorporated into RFC 4291.
20. References
20.1. Normative References
[RFC1035] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - implementation and
specification", STD 13, RFC 1035, November 1987.
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[RFC1981] McCann, J., Deering, S., and J. Mogul, "Path MTU Discovery
for IP version 6", RFC 1981, August 1996.
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC2460] Deering, S. and R. Hinden, "Internet Protocol, Version 6
(IPv6) Specification", RFC 2460, December 1998.
[RFC2671] Vixie, P., "Extension Mechanisms for DNS (EDNS0)",
RFC 2671, August 1999.
[RFC2710] Deering, S., Fenner, W., and B. Haberman, "Multicast
Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6", RFC 2710,
October 1999.
[RFC2711] Partridge, C. and A. Jackson, "IPv6 Router Alert Option",
RFC 2711, October 1999.
[RFC3315] Droms, R., Bound, J., Volz, B., Lemon, T., Perkins, C.,
and M. Carney, "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for
IPv6 (DHCPv6)", RFC 3315, July 2003.
[RFC3363] Bush, R., Durand, A., Fink, B., Gudmundsson, O., and T.
Hain, "Representing Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
Addresses in the Domain Name System (DNS)", RFC 3363,
August 2002.
[RFC3484] Draves, R., "Default Address Selection for Internet
Protocol version 6 (IPv6)", RFC 3484, February 2003.
[RFC3590] Haberman, B., "Source Address Selection for the Multicast
Listener Discovery (MLD) Protocol", RFC 3590,
September 2003.
[RFC3596] Thomson, S., Huitema, C., Ksinant, V., and M. Souissi,
"DNS Extensions to Support IP Version 6", RFC 3596,
October 2003.
[RFC3775] Johnson, D., Perkins, C., and J. Arkko, "Mobility Support
in IPv6", RFC 3775, June 2004.
[RFC3776] Arkko, J., Devarapalli, V., and F. Dupont, "Using IPsec to
Protect Mobile IPv6 Signaling Between Mobile Nodes and
Home Agents", RFC 3776, June 2004.
[RFC3810] Vida, R. and L. Costa, "Multicast Listener Discovery
Version 2 (MLDv2) for IPv6", RFC 3810, June 2004.
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[RFC4291] Hinden, R. and S. Deering, "IP Version 6 Addressing
Architecture", RFC 4291, February 2006.
[RFC4292] Haberman, B., "IP Forwarding Table MIB", RFC 4292,
April 2006.
[RFC4293] Routhier, S., "Management Information Base for the
Internet Protocol (IP)", RFC 4293, April 2006.
[RFC4301] Kent, S. and K. Seo, "Security Architecture for the
Internet Protocol", RFC 4301, December 2005.
[RFC4302] Kent, S., "IP Authentication Header", RFC 4302,
December 2005.
[RFC4443] Conta, A., Deering, S., and M. Gupta, "Internet Control
Message Protocol (ICMPv6) for the Internet Protocol
Version 6 (IPv6) Specification", RFC 4443, March 2006.
[RFC4607] Holbrook, H. and B. Cain, "Source-Specific Multicast for
IP", RFC 4607, August 2006.
[RFC4835] Manral, V., "Cryptographic Algorithm Implementation
Requirements for Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) and
Authentication Header (AH)", RFC 4835, April 2007.
[RFC4861] Narten, T., Nordmark, E., Simpson, W., and H. Soliman,
"Neighbor Discovery for IP version 6 (IPv6)", RFC 4861,
September 2007.
[RFC4862] Thomson, S., Narten, T., and T. Jinmei, "IPv6 Stateless
Address Autoconfiguration", RFC 4862, September 2007.
[RFC4941] Narten, T., Draves, R., and S. Krishnan, "Privacy
Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in
IPv6", RFC 4941, September 2007.
[RFC5006] Jeong, J., Park, S., Beloeil, L., and S. Madanapalli,
"IPv6 Router Advertisement Option for DNS Configuration",
RFC 5006, September 2007.
[RFC5072] S.Varada, Haskins, D., and E. Allen, "IP Version 6 over
PPP", RFC 5072, September 2007.
[RFC5095] Abley, J., Savola, P., and G. Neville-Neil, "Deprecation
of Type 0 Routing Headers in IPv6", RFC 5095,
December 2007.
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20.2. Informative References
[RFC0793] Postel, J., "Transmission Control Protocol", STD 7,
RFC 793, September 1981.
[RFC1034] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - concepts and facilities",
STD 13, RFC 1034, November 1987.
[RFC2205] Braden, B., Zhang, L., Berson, S., Herzog, S., and S.
Jamin, "Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) -- Version 1
Functional Specification", RFC 2205, September 1997.
[RFC2464] Crawford, M., "Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Ethernet
Networks", RFC 2464, December 1998.
[RFC2492] Armitage, G., Schulter, P., and M. Jork, "IPv6 over ATM
Networks", RFC 2492, January 1999.
[RFC2529] Carpenter, B. and C. Jung, "Transmission of IPv6 over IPv4
Domains without Explicit Tunnels", RFC 2529, March 1999.
[RFC2590] Conta, A., Malis, A., and M. Mueller, "Transmission of
IPv6 Packets over Frame Relay Networks Specification",
RFC 2590, May 1999.
[RFC2675] Borman, D., Deering, S., and R. Hinden, "IPv6 Jumbograms",
RFC 2675, August 1999.
[RFC3146] Fujisawa, K. and A. Onoe, "Transmission of IPv6 Packets
over IEEE 1394 Networks", RFC 3146, October 2001.
[RFC3569] Bhattacharyya, S., "An Overview of Source-Specific
Multicast (SSM)", RFC 3569, July 2003.
[RFC3736] Droms, R., "Stateless Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
(DHCP) Service for IPv6", RFC 3736, April 2004.
[RFC3971] Arkko, J., Kempf, J., Zill, B., and P. Nikander, "SEcure
Neighbor Discovery (SEND)", RFC 3971, March 2005.
[RFC3972] Aura, T., "Cryptographically Generated Addresses (CGA)",
RFC 3972, March 2005.
[RFC4033] Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and S.
Rose, "DNS Security Introduction and Requirements",
RFC 4033, March 2005.
[RFC4034] Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and S.
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Rose, "Resource Records for the DNS Security Extensions",
RFC 4034, March 2005.
[RFC4035] Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and S.
Rose, "Protocol Modifications for the DNS Security
Extensions", RFC 4035, March 2005.
[RFC4213] Nordmark, E. and R. Gilligan, "Basic Transition Mechanisms
for IPv6 Hosts and Routers", RFC 4213, October 2005.
[RFC4338] DeSanti, C., Carlson, C., and R. Nixon, "Transmission of
IPv6, IPv4, and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) Packets
over Fibre Channel", RFC 4338, January 2006.
[RFC4380] Huitema, C., "Teredo: Tunneling IPv6 over UDP through
Network Address Translations (NATs)", RFC 4380,
February 2006.
[RFC4877] Devarapalli, V. and F. Dupont, "Mobile IPv6 Operation with
IKEv2 and the Revised IPsec Architecture", RFC 4877,
April 2007.
[RFC4944] Montenegro, G., Kushalnagar, N., Hui, J., and D. Culler,
"Transmission of IPv6 Packets over IEEE 802.15.4
Networks", RFC 4944, September 2007.
[RFC5121] Patil, B., Xia, F., Sarikaya, B., Choi, JH., and S.
Madanapalli, "Transmission of IPv6 via the IPv6
Convergence Sublayer over IEEE 802.16 Networks", RFC 5121,
February 2008.
[RFC5555] Soliman, H., "Mobile IPv6 Support for Dual Stack Hosts and
Routers", RFC 5555, June 2009.
Authors' Addresses
Ed Jankiewicz
SRI International
Fort Monmouth Branch Office - IPv6 Research
USA
Phone:
Email: ed.jankiewicz@sri.com
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John Loughney
Nokia
955 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto 94303
USA
Phone: +1 650 283 8068
Email: john.loughney@nokia.com
Thomas Narten
IBM Corporation
3039 Cornwallis Ave.
PO Box 12195
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2195
USA
Phone: +1 919 254 7798
Email: narten@us.ibm.com
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