Network Optimization of Ipv6 Networks Using Tunnel Header Compression

Abstract

IPv6 is the successor internet protocol which will eventually replace IPv4. These two protocols are not compatible with each other and it will take time to migrate towards IPv6, until then both the protocols need to coexist for a long time. The main overhead involved with both the protocols is header length of 20 bytes in case of IPv4 and of 40 bytes in case of IPv6. This overhead will affect the network performance specially over tunneling mechanism where one header is encapsulated inside another. Tunneling is widely deployed over the network for various purposes like network security, mobility and transition mechanism. Header compression can be applied to compress the excess protocol headers to improve the performance of network. In this paper we want to use header compression in context of 6 to 4 tunneling transition. Using header compression over 6 to 4 tunnels would result in better response times reduced packet size and reduced packet losses. We want to simulate this algorithm using EXata Cyber 1.1 simulator.