Network performance metrics for transition from IPv4 TO IPv6 Networks

Abstract

The internet platform has been facilitated by a huge number of interconnected network nodes hence the dire need for extra pool of addresses, quality of services, routing efficiency, performance and optimization. These developments have contributed to the implementation of IPv6 to replace and improve the depleted IPv4 address pool. Although IPv6 promises enhancements to IPv4 standards, it’s evident it is maturing albeit slowly despite its implementation on major networks and operating systems. However, IPv6 transition presents performance degradation challenges to the Internet Protocol at implementation. These include bandwidth, throughput, latency and jitter performance with regard to the data, video, and voice traffic. Several solutions have been proposed, including dual-stacking, tunneling, and translation transition strategies that are not yet mature. The study purpose to enhance performance for transition from IPv4 to IPv6 networks to solve the performance degradation problems caused by the premature transition strategies and expedite IPv6 deployment. This study was achieved by establishing the performance degradation associated with transition mechanisms in transiting from IPv4 to IPv6 networks, analyzing how the mapping of configuration attributes to transition mechanisms affect performance degradation from IPv4 to IPv6 networks, and developing a model for smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6 networks. This was accomplished by experimental design. The target population was on ISPs networks operating in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to select service providers running on both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Data collection combined interviews and content analysis. Internal consistency reliability estimation was administered to network experts on one occasion to estimate reliability. Feel for data (descriptive) and goodness of data (inferential) analysis was employed by the study. There were three primary components designed to enhance performance in form of traffic recognition and prioritization application for making decisions in the IPv6 deployments: the IPv6 transition app, the IPv6 transition controller, and the type of service (ToS) database. This study is an enabler for ultra-high performance networks providing for more efficient interconnection between bandwidth intensive Web and information service providers and customers. This will improve government operations for streamlining services for more citizens, improve quality and delivery of services countrywide, increase economic activity and jobs for urban and rural areas and foster high speed universal Internet access.