IPv6 Projects

IPv6 PROTOTYPING & DESIGN VALIDATION — Tested and evaluated the performance of Aggregate RSVP over an IPv6-based satellite network. This was done to validate a design decision to use Aggregate RSVP to ensure required levels of QoS were met for guaranteed-service traffic. Revised an existing IPv4 RSVP daemon to support aggregation, enabling it to operate in an IPv6 network.

Tested and evaluated the performance of various IP networking protocols over an IPv6-based satellite network. This was done to validate design decisions resulting in the selection of standard Internet protocols for handling communication across the space segment. Specific tasks involved investigating the effect of intermittent connectivity on various networking protocols in an IPv6 network. This work also involved configuring Cisco and Linux-based routers, as well as Linux hosts, to be able to run these protocols over IPv6. Specific protocols tested include TCP, SOAP over HTTP, and BGP.

IPv6 NETWORK DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION — Designed and built an IPv6 lab network for protocol testing, network emulation, performance monitoring, and QoS measurement. The task included the definition of the network architecture, the IPv6 address prefix assignment, and the routing plan. It also included the configuration and installation of all nodes in the network. The network included a DNS server, Cisco routers, Linux-based soft routers, Linux workstations, and MS Windows PCs.

IPv6 QUALITY OF SERVICE — Evaluated the performance of a packet-based voice and video application on an intentionally impaired IPv6 network. This involved the construction of an IPv6 QoS test bed hosting a SIP server. Selected and installed QoS monitoring software and used it to measure the voice and video traffic’s QoS metrics, delay, jitter, and packet loss rate. Developed a Linux script, which limited bandwidth for a specific packet flow and prioritized processing based on classification. This script also marked the DSCP (DiffServ Code Point) on IPv6 packets and regulated DiffServ PHB (Per Hop Behavior). Demonstrated live voice and video calls through the network with a headset and web camera, showing the effect of impairments on the quality of the communication.

IPv6 TRAFFIC VISUALIZATION — Developed custom IPv6 network traffic monitoring and visualization tools. Graphically displays, in real time, statistics of selected types of traffic flowing through remote probes positioned within an IPv6 network. Developed the probes as well as the central collection and visualization module. Most of the work was in parsing IPv6 packet encapsulation at C/Java programming level. Required understanding of link-local versus global addressing and IP packet internals.