Forwarding IPv6 packets based on shorter addresses derived from their IPv6 destination addresses

摘要

In one embodiment, a packet switching device is configured to convert an Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) destination address, of a received particular IPv6 packet, to a second, shorter destination address. This second destination address is then used to determine forwarding information for the received IPv6 packet, which is forwarded accordingly. In one embodiment, this second address is a 32-bit address, and in particular, an Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) address. Thus, one embodiment can use the IPv4 forwarding infrastructure of a packet switching device for determining how to forward IPv6 packets. In a network according to one embodiment, packets are encapsulated in an IPv6 packet using an IPv6 destination address (that can be converted to an IPv4 address) of an egress edge packet switching device. Thus, core packet switching devices can forward IPv6 packets using IPv4 lookup operations.

主权项

1. A particular packet switching device, comprising:
one or more processing elements; memory; a plurality of interfaces configured to send and receive packets; and one or more packet switching mechanisms configured to packet switch packets among said interfaces; wherein said one or more processing elements are configured to perform operations, including: maintaining said IP routing information; converting an Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) destination address, of a received particular IPv6 packet, to a second destination address; performing a lookup operation, on said IP routing information, based on the second destination address to determine forwarding information for said received particular IPv6 packet; and forwarding said received particular IPv6 packet from the particular packet switching device according to said determined forwarding information.