Birds of a Feather

Less Worrying, More Learning, More Sharing - Ways to Embrace IPv6

Authors: Robert Sears (NOAA N-Wave), Ron Bewtra (Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)), CAPT Joseph Baczkowski (NOAA/N-Wave), Eric Estes (NOAA-N-Wave), Hans Addleman (Indiana University), Kate Robinson (Energy Sciences Network)

Abstract: IPv6 is quickly becoming the dominant protocol on the internet. As the global transition from IPv4 to IPv6 continues, many ISPs are now seeing over 50% of their traffic via IPv6. SCinet22 saw wireless IPv6 traffic ranging from 35-55%. This BoF continues the engagement from SC22 with discussions centered on international migration efforts, cyber security, HPC, IPAM and real-time IPv6 usage from SCinet23! Join our discussion on the efforts, implications and challenges for transitioning HPC, data centers and networks. Ask questions, provide updates, and hear from others about their real-world experience - learn all the ways you can embrace IPv6.

Long Description: While the transition to IPv6 has been ongoing for almost 20 years, it is now the dominant protocol on the internet. IPv6 is currently being used extensively on a global scale by virtually all core backbone internet service providers. To help promote the acceptance of IPv6, SCinet is utilizing, wherever possible, an IPv6-only management network and IPv6-only peering for SC23.

A number of governments are accelerating their IPv6 transition by issuing mandates and guidance. Federal agencies in the U.S. are mandated to have at least 80% of their networked assets operating in IPv6-only environments by October 2025. All federal acquisitions are incorporating IPv6 requirements into their IT purchases. Accordingly, IPv6 requirements are showing up in HPC requirements and network architectures.

This BoF will cover a range of topics, including providing the current state of the global transition to IPv6, an understanding for HPC managers of these requirements and technical discussion for practitioners on the realities of implementation. Collaboration with others will be key in this effort to ensure the overall transition to IPv6-only is a success. Many attendees of SC conferences fall under a government mandate, or are making progress towards IPv6 native environments and would benefit from learning more about this technical topic. This BoF will be an open forum with key discussions on focus areas surrounding HPC, applications, storage, global/international impacts, government requirements and other relevant subjects. Attendees will be able to learn the “dos” and "don'ts” at this session in order formulate a viable transition IPv6-only plan and strategy, assess transition readiness, and make use of lessons learned. Session leaders will guide the interactive Q&A/discussion to provide all attendees an opportunity to participate and learn from others. The prior SC22 IPv6 BoF was a valuable learning tool and was well-attended - session leaders expect interest to continue to increase as the realities of government mandates are understood.

Session leaders hope to bring this topic back at the next several SC conferences, either in the BoF format or as a panel discussion (until IPv6-only is no more difficult than IPv4-only or dual stack).



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