NAT64/464XLAT Deployment Guidelines in Operator and Enterprise Networks
draft-ietf-v6ops-nat64-deployment-04
The information below is for an old version of the document.
| Document | Type | Active Internet-Draft (v6ops WG) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Jordi Palet Martinez | ||
| Last updated | 2019-04-15 (Latest revision 2019-04-02) | ||
| Replaces | draft-palet-v6ops-nat64-deployment | ||
| Stream | Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) | ||
| Formats | plain text xml htmlized pdfized bibtex | ||
| Reviews | |||
| Stream | WG state | In WG Last Call | |
| Document shepherd | Mikael Abrahamsson | ||
| IESG | IESG state | I-D Exists | |
| Consensus boilerplate | Unknown | ||
| Telechat date | (None) | ||
| Responsible AD | (None) | ||
| Send notices to | Mikael Abrahamsson <swmike@swm.pp.se> |
draft-ietf-v6ops-nat64-deployment-04
v6ops J. Palet Martinez
Internet-Draft The IPv6 Company
Intended status: Informational April 2, 2019
Expires: October 4, 2019
NAT64/464XLAT Deployment Guidelines in Operator and Enterprise Networks
draft-ietf-v6ops-nat64-deployment-04
Abstract
This document describes how NAT64 and 464XLAT can be deployed in an
IPv6 network, whether cellular ISP, broadband ISP, or enterprise and
the issues to be considered when having an IPv6-only access link,
regarding: a) DNS64, b) applications or devices that use literal IPv4
addresses or non-IPv6 compliant APIs, and c) IPv4-only hosts or
applications.
Status of This Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute
working documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet-
Drafts is at https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.
Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
This Internet-Draft will expire on October 4, 2019.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2019 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(https://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must
include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
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described in the Simplified BSD License.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Requirements Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. NAT64 Deployment Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1. Known to Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1.1. Service Provider NAT64 with DNS64 . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1.2. Service Provider offering 464XLAT, with DNS64 . . . . 7
3.1.3. Service Provider offering 464XLAT, without DNS64 . . 10
3.2. Known to Work Under Special Conditions . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.1. Service Provider NAT64 without DNS64 . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.2. Service Provider NAT64; DNS64 in the IPv6 hosts . . . 13
3.2.3. Service Provider NAT64; DNS64 in the IPv4-only
remote network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.3. Comparing the Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4. Issues to be Considered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1. DNSSEC Considerations and Possible Approaches . . . . . . 16
4.1.1. Not using DNS64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.1.2. DNSSEC validator aware of DNS64 . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.1.3. Stub validator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.1.4. CLAT with DNS proxy and validator . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.1.5. ACL of clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.1.6. Mapping-out IPv4 addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.2. DNS64 and Reverse Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.3. Using 464XLAT with/without DNS64 . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.4. Manual Configuration of Foreign DNS . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.5. DNS Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.6. Split DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.7. Well-Known Prefix (WKP) vs Network-Specific Prefix (NSP) 22
4.8. IPv4 literals and old APIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.9. IPv4-only Hosts or Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.10. CLAT Translation Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.11. EAMT Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5. Summary of Deployment Recommendations for NAT64/464XLAT . . . 24
6. Deployment of NAT64 in Enterprise Networks . . . . . . . . . 27
7. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
8. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
9. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
10. ANNEX A: Example of Broadband Deployment with 464XLAT . . . . 29
11. ANNEX B: CLAT Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
12. ANNEX C: Benchmarking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
13. ANNEX D: Changes from -00 to -01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
14. ANNEX E: Changes from -01 to -02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
15. ANNEX F: Changes from -02 to -03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
16. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
16.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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16.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
1. Introduction
NAT64 ([RFC6146]) describes a stateful IPv6 to IPv4 translation
mechanism, which allows IPv6-only hosts to communicate with IPv4-only
servers using unicast UDP, TCP or ICMP, by means of IPv4 public
addresses sharing (assigned to the translator), among multiple
IPv6-only hosts.
The translation of the packet headers is done using the IP/ICMP
translation algorithm defined in [RFC7915] and algorithmically
translating the IPv4 addresses to IPv6 addresses following [RFC6052].
DNS64 ([RFC6147]), is in charge of the synthesis of AAAA records from
the A records, so only works for applications making use of DNS,
avoiding changes in both, the IPv6-only hosts and the IPv4-only
server, so they can use a NAT64. As discussed in Section 5.5 of
[RFC6147], a security-aware and validating host has to perform the
DNS64 function locally.
However, the use of NAT64 and/or DNS64 present three issues:
a. Because DNS64 ([RFC6147]) modifies DNS answers, and DNSSEC is
designed to detect such modifications, DNS64 ([RFC6147]) can
potentially break DNSSEC, depending on a number of factors, such
as the location of the DNS64 function (at a DNS server or
validator, at the end host, ...), how it has been configured, if
the end-hosts is validating, etc.
b. Because the need of using DNS64 ([RFC6147]) or an alternative
"host/application built-in" mechanism for address synthesis,
there is a major issue for NAT64 ([RFC6146]), as doesn't work
when literal addresses or non-IPv6 compliant APIs are being used.
c. NAT64 alone, doesn't provide a solution for IPv4-only hosts or
applications located within a network which are connected to a
service provider IPv6-only access, as it was designed for a very
specific scenario ([RFC6144], Section 2.1).
The same issues are true if part of, for example, an enterprise
network, is connected to other parts of the same network or third
party networks by means of IPv6-only connectivity. This applies to
many other similar cases.
According to that, across this document, the use of "operator",
"operator network", "service provider", and similar ones, are
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interchangeable with equivalent cases of enterprise networks (and
similar ones). This may be also the case for other "managed end-user
networks".
An analysis of stateful IPv6/IPv6 mechanisms is provided in
[RFC6889].
This document looks into different possible NAT64 ([RFC6146])
deployment scenarios, including IPv4-IPv6-IPv4 and similar ones,
which were not documented by [RFC6144], such as 464XLAT ([RFC6877]),
in operator (broadband and cellular) and enterprise networks, and
provides guidelines to avoid the above-mentioned issues.
Towards that, this document first looks into the possible NAT64
deployment scenarios (split in "known to work" and "known to work
under special conditions"), providing a quick and generic comparison
table among them. Then the document describes the issues that an
operator need to understand on different matters that will allow to
define what is the best approach/scenario for each specific network
case. A summary provides some recommendations and decision points
and then a clarification of the usage of this document for enterprise
networks is provided. Finally, an annex provides an example of a
broadband deployment using 464XLAT.
The target deployment scenarios in this document may be covered as
well by other IPv4-as-a-Service transition mechanisms. It is out of
scope of this document to provide a comparison among them.
[RFC7269] provides additional information about NAT64 deployment
options and experiences.
2. Requirements Language
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and
"OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP
14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all
capitals, as shown here.
3. NAT64 Deployment Scenarios
Section 7 of DNS64 ([RFC6147]), provides 3 scenarios, looking at the
location of the DNS64. However, since the publication of that
document, other possible scenarios and NAT64 use cases need to be
considered in actual networks, despite some of them were specifically
ruled out of the original NAT64/DNS64 work.
Consequently, the perspective in this document is to broaden those
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scenarios, including a few new ones. However, in order to be able to
reduce the number of possible cases, we work under the assumption
that typically, the service provider wants to make sure that all the
customers have a service without failures. This means considering
the worst possible case:
a. There are hosts that will be validating DNSSEC.
b. Literal addresses and non-IPv6 compliant APIs are being used.
c. There are IPv4-only hosts or applications beyond the IPv6-only
link (e.g., tethering in cellular networks).
The document uses a common set of possible "participant entities":
1. An IPv6-only access network (IPv6).
2. An IPv4-only remote network/server/services (IPv4).
3. The NAT64 function (NAT64) in the service provider.
4. The DNS64 function (DNS64) in the service provider.
5. An external service provider offering the NAT64 and/or the DNS64
function (extNAT64/extDNS64).
6. 464XLAT customer side translator (CLAT).
The possible scenarios are split in two general categories:
1. Known to work.
2. Known to work under special conditions.
3.1. Known to Work
The scenarios in this category are known to work. Each one may have
different pros and cons, and in some cases the trade-offs, maybe
acceptable for some operators.
3.1.1. Service Provider NAT64 with DNS64
In this scenario, the service provider offers both, the NAT64 and the
DNS64 functions.
This is probably the most common scenario, however also may have the
implications related the DNSSEC.
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This scenario also may fail to solve the issue of literal addresses
or non-IPv6 compliant APIs, as well as the issue of IPv4-only hosts
or applications inside the IPv6-only access network.
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| | | NAT64 | | |
| IPv6 +--------+ + +--------+ IPv4 |
| | | DNS64 | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 1: NAT64 with DNS64
A totally equivalent scenario will be if the service provider offers
only the DNS64 function, and the NAT64 function is provided by an
outsourcing agreement with an external provider. All the
considerations in the previous paragraphs of this section are the
same for this sub-case.
+----------+
| |
| extNAT64 |
| |
+----+-----+
|
|
+----------+ +----+-----+ +----------+
| | | | | |
| IPv6 +--------+ DNS64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 2: NAT64 in external service provider
As well, is equivalent to the scenario where the outsourcing
agreement with the external provider is to provide both the NAT64 and
DNS64 functions. Once more, all the considerations in the previous
paragraphs of this section are the same for this sub-case.
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+----------+
| extNAT64 |
| + |
| extDNS64 |
+----+-----+
|
+----------+ | +----------+
| | | | |
| IPv6 +-------------+--------------+ IPv4 |
| | | |
+----------+ +----------+
Figure 3: NAT64 and DNS64 in external provider
One more equivalent scenario will be if the service provider offers
the NAT64 only, and the DNS64 function is from an external provider
with or without a specific agreement among them. This is a scenario
already common today, as several "global" service providers provide
free DNS/DNS64 services and users often configure manually their DNS.
This will only work if both the NAT64 and the DNS64 are using the WKP
(Well-Known Prefix) or the same NSP (Network-Specific Prefix). All
the considerations in the previous paragraphs of this section are the
same for this sub-case.
Of course, if the external DNS64 is agreed with the service provider,
then we are in the same case as in the previous ones already depicted
in this scenario.
+----------+
| |
| extDNS64 |
| |
+----+-----+
|
|
+----------+ +----+-----+ +----------+
| | | | | |
| IPv6 +--------+ NAT64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 4: NAT64; DNS64 by external provider
3.1.2. Service Provider offering 464XLAT, with DNS64
464XLAT ([RFC6877]) describes an architecture that provides IPv4
connectivity across a network, or part of it, when it is only
natively transporting IPv6.
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In order to do that, 464XLAT ([RFC6877]) relies on the combination of
existing protocols:
1. The customer-side translator (CLAT) is a stateless IPv4 to IPv6
translator (NAT46) ([RFC7915]) implemented in the end-user device
or CE, located at the "customer" edge of the network.
2. The provider-side translator (PLAT) is a stateful NAT64
([RFC6146]), implemented typically at in the operator network.
3. Optionally, DNS64 ([RFC6147]), may allow an optimization: a
single translation at the NAT64, instead of two translations
(NAT46+NAT64), when the application at the end-user device
supports IPv6 DNS (uses AAAA RR).
Note that even in the 464XLAT ([RFC6877]) terminology, the provider-
side translator is referred as PLAT, for simplicity and uniformity,
in this document is always referred as NAT64.
In this scenario the service provider deploys 464XLAT with DNS64.
As a consequence, the DNSSEC issues remain, unless the host is doing
the address synthesis.
464XLAT ([RFC6877]) is a very simple approach to cope with the major
NAT64+DNS64 drawback: Not working with applications or devices that
use literal IPv4 addresses or non-IPv6 compliant APIs.
464XLAT ([RFC6877]) has been used initially mainly in IPv6-only
cellular networks. By supporting CLAT, the end-user device
applications can access IPv4-only end-networks/applications, despite
those applications or devices use literal IPv4 addresses or non-IPv6
compliant APIs.
In addition to that, in the same example of the cellular network
above, if the User Equipment (UE) provides tethering, other devices
behind it will be presented with a traditional NAT44, in addition to
the native IPv6 support, so clearly it allows IPv4-only hosts inside
the IPv6-only access network.
Furthermore, as indicated in [RFC6877], 464XLAT can be used in
broadband IPv6 network architectures, by implementing the CLAT
functionality at the CE.
In order to understand all the communication possibilities, let's
assume the following representation of two dual-stack peers:
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+-------+ .-----. .-----.
| | / \ / \
.-----. | Res./ | / IPv6- \ .-----. / IPv4- \
/ Local \ | SOHO +--( only )---( NAT64 )---( only )
/ \ | | \ Internet/\ `-----' \ Internet/
( Dual- )--+ IPv6 | \ / \ / \ /
\ Stack / | CE | `--+--' \ .-----. / `--+--'
\ Peer / | with | | \ / Remote\/ |
`-----' | CLAT | +---+----+ / \ +---+----+
| | |DNS/IPv6| ( Dual- ) |DNS/IPv4|
+-------+ | with | \ Stack / +--------+
| DNS64 | \ Peer /
+--------+ `-----'
Representation of 464XLAT among two peers with DNS64
The possible communication paths, among the IPv4/IPv6 stacks of both
peers, in this case, are:
a. Local-IPv6 to Remote-IPv6: Regular DNS and native IPv6 among
peers.
b. Local-IPv6 to Remote-IPv4: DNS64 and NAT64 translation.
c. Local-IPv4 to Remote-IPv6: Not possible. It is not expected that
services are deployed in Internet using IPv6-only, unless there
is certainty that peers will also be IPv6-capable.
d. Local-IPv4 to Remote-IPv4: Regular DNS, CLAT and NAT64
translations.
The following figures show different choices for placing the
different elements.
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| IPv6 | | NAT64 | | |
| + +--------+ + +--------+ IPv4 |
| CLAT | | DNS64 | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 5: 464XLAT with DNS64
An equivalent scenario will be if the service provider offers only
the DNS64 function, and the NAT64 function is provided by an
outsourcing agreement with an external provider. All the
considerations in the previous paragraphs of this section are the
same for this sub-case.
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+----------+
| |
| extNAT64 |
| |
+----+-----+
|
|
+----------+ +----+-----+ +----------+
| IPv6 | | | | |
| + +--------+ DNS64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| CLAT | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 6: 464XLAT with DNS64; NAT64 in external provider
As well, is equivalent to the scenario where the outsourcing
agreement with the external provider is to provide both the NAT64 and
DNS64 functions. Once more, all the considerations in the previous
paragraphs of this section are the same for this sub-case.
+----------+
| extNAT64 |
| + |
| extDNS64 |
+----+-----+
|
+----------+ | +----------+
| IPv6 | | | |
| + +-------------+--------------+ IPv4 |
| CLAT | | |
+----------+ +----------+
Figure 7: 464XLAT with DNS64; NAT64 and DNS64 in external provider
3.1.3. Service Provider offering 464XLAT, without DNS64
The major advantage of this scenario, using 464XLAT without DNS64, is
that the service provider ensures that DNSSEC is never broken, even
in case the user modifies the DNS configuration.
In this scenario, as in the previous one, there are no issues related
to IPv4-only hosts (or IPv4-only applications) inside the IPv6-only
access network, neither to the usage of IPv4 literals or non-IPv6
compliant APIs.
Let's assume the representation of two dual-stack peers as in the
previous case:
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+-------+ .-----. .-----.
| | / \ / \
.-----. | Res./ | / IPv6- \ .-----. / IPv4- \
/ Local \ | SOHO +--( only )---( NAT64 )---( only )
/ \ | | \ Internet/\ `-----' \ Internet/
( Dual- )--+ IPv6 | \ / \ / \ /
\ Stack / | CE | `--+--' \ .-----. / `--+--'
\ Peer / | with | | \ / Remote\/ |
`-----' | CLAT | +---+----+ / \ +---+----+
| | |DNS/IPv6| ( Dual- ) |DNS/IPv4|
+-------+ +--------+ \ Stack / +--------+
\ Peer /
`-----'
Representation of 464XLAT among two peers without DNS64
The possible communication paths, among the IPv4/IPv6 stacks of both
peers, in this case, are:
a. Local-IPv6 to Remote-IPv6: Regular DNS and native IPv6 among
peers.
b. Local-IPv6 to Remote-IPv4: Because there is no DNS64, will fall-
back to d. below.
c. Local-IPv4 to Remote-IPv6: Not possible. It is not expected that
services are deployed in Internet using IPv6-only, unless there
is certainty that peers will also be IPv6-capable.
d. Local-IPv4 to Remote-IPv4: Regular DNS, CLAT and NAT64
translations.
It needs to be noticed that this scenario works while the local
hosts/applications are dual-stack (which is the current situation),
because the connectivity from a local-IPv6 to a remote-IPv4 is not
possible without an AAAA synthesis. This aspect is important only
when in the LANs behind the CLAT there are IPv6-only hosts and they
need to communicate with remote IPv4-only hosts. However, doesn't
look a sensible approach from an Operating System or application
vendor perspective, to provide IPv6-only support unless, similarly to
c. above, there is certainty of peers supporting IPv6 as well.
The following figures show different choices for placing the
different elements.
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+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| IPv6 | | | | |
| + +--------+ NAT64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| CLAT | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 8: 464XLAT without DNS64
This is equivalent to the scenario where there is an outsourcing
agreement with an external provider for the NAT64 function. All the
considerations in the previous paragraphs of this section are the
same for this sub-case.
+----------+
| |
| extNAT64 |
| |
+----+-----+
|
+----------+ | +----------+
| IPv6 | | | |
| + +-------------+--------------+ IPv4 |
| CLAT | | |
+----------+ +----------+
Figure 9: 464XLAT without DNS64; NAT64 in external provider
3.2. Known to Work Under Special Conditions
The scenarios in this category are known to not work unless
significant effort is devoted to solve the issues, or are intended to
solve problems across "closed" networks, instead of as a general
Internet access usage. In addition to the different pros, cons and
trade-offs, which may be acceptable for some operators, they have
implementation difficulties, as they are beyond the original
expectations of the NAT64/DNS64 original intent.
3.2.1. Service Provider NAT64 without DNS64
In this scenario, the service provider offers a NAT64, however there
is no DNS64 function support.
As a consequence, an IPv6 host in the IPv6-only access network, will
not be able to detect the presence of DNS64 by means of [RFC7050],
neither learning the IPv6 prefix to be used for the NAT64.
This can be sorted out as indicated in Section 4.1.1.
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However, despite that, because the lack of the DNS64 function, the
IPv6 host will not be able to obtain AAAA synthesized records, so the
NAT64 becomes useless.
An exception to this "useless" scenario will be manually configure
mappings between the A records of each of the IPv4-only remote hosts
and the corresponding AAAA records, with the WKP (Well-Known Prefix)
or NSP (Network-Specific Prefix) used by the service provider NAT64,
as if they were synthesized by a DNS64.
This mapping could be done by several means, typically at the
authoritative DNS server, or at the service provider resolvers by
means of DNS RPZ (Response Policy Zones). The latest, may have
implications in DNSSEC, if the zone is signed. Also, if the service
provider is using an NSP, having the mapping at the authoritative
server, will mean that may create troubles to other parties trying to
use different NSP or the WKP, unless multiple DNS "views" are also
being used at the authoritative servers.
Generally, the mappings alternative, will only make sense if a few
set of IPv4-only remote hosts need to be accessed by a single network
or reduced set of them, which support IPv6-only in the access, with
some kind of mutual agreement for using this procedure, so it doesn't
care if they become a trouble for other parties across Internet
("closed services").
In any case, this scenario doesn't solve the issue of literal
addresses or non-IPv6 compliant APIs, neither it solves the problem
of IPv4-only hosts within that IPv6-only access network.
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| | | | | |
| IPv6 +--------+ NAT64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 10: NAT64 without DNS64
3.2.2. Service Provider NAT64; DNS64 in the IPv6 hosts
In this scenario, the service provider offers the NAT64, but not the
DNS64. However, the IPv6 hosts have a built-in DNS64 function.
This may become common if the DNS64 function is implemented in all
the IPv6 hosts/stacks, which is not the actual situation. At this
way, the DNSSEC validation is performed on the A record, and then the
host can use the DNS64 function so to be able to use the NAT64,
without any DNSSEC issues.
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This scenario fails to solve the issue of literal addresses or non-
IPv6 compliant APIs, unless the IPv6 hosts also supports Happy
Eyeballs v2 ([RFC8305], Section 7.1), which may solve that issue.
However, this scenario still fails to solve the problem of IPv4-only
hosts or applications inside the IPv6-only access network.
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| IPv6 | | | | |
| + +--------+ NAT64 +--------+ IPv4 |
| DNS64 | | | | |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 11: NAT64; DNS64 in IPv6 hosts
3.2.3. Service Provider NAT64; DNS64 in the IPv4-only remote network
In this scenario, the service provider offers the NAT64 only. The
remote IPv4-only network offers the DNS64 function.
This is not common, and looks like doesn't make too much sense that a
remote network, not deploying IPv6, is providing a DNS64 function and
as in the case of the scenario depicted in Section 3.2.1, it will
only work if both sides are using the WKP or the same NSP so, the
same considerations apply. It can be also tuned to behave as in
Section 3.1.1
This scenario still fails to solve the issue of literal addresses or
non-IPv6 compliant APIs.
This scenario also fails to solve the problem of IPv4-only hosts or
applications inside the IPv6-only access network.
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| | | | | IPv4 |
| IPv6 +--------+ NAT64 +--------+ + |
| | | | | DNS64 |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+
Figure 12: NAT64; DNS64 in the IPv4-only
3.3. Comparing the Scenarios
This section compares the different scenarios, including the possible
variations (each one represented in the precedent sections by a
different figure), looking at the following parameters:
a. DNSSEC: Are there host validating DNSSEC?
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b. Literal/APIs: Are there applications using literals or non-IPv6
compliant APIs?
c. IPv4-only: Are there hosts or applications using IPv4-only?
d. Foreign DNS: Is the scenario surviving if the user changes the
DNS? Note that this apply similarly to split DNS, DNS in VPNs
and DNS privacy.
In the next table, the columns represent each of the scenario from
the previous sections, by the Figure number. The possible values
are:
o - Scenario "bad" for that item.
o + Scenario "good" for that item.
Needs to be noted that in some cases "countermeasures", alternative
or special configurations, may be available for the items designated
as "bad", so this comparison is making a generic case, as a quick
comparison guide. In some cases, a "bad" item is not necessarily a
negative aspect, all it depends on the specific needs/characteristics
of the network where the deployment will take place. For instance,
in a network which has only IPv6-only hosts and apps using only DNS
and IPv6-compliant APIs, there is no impact using only NAT64 and
DNS64, but if the hosts may validate DNSSEC, that item is still
relevant.
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
| Item / Figure | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
| DNSSEC | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | + | + | + | + | + |
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
| Literal/APIs | - | - | - | - | + | + | + | + | + | - | - | - |
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
| IPv4-only | - | - | - | - | + | + | + | + | + | - | - | - |
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
| Foreign DNS | - | - | - | - | + | + | + | + | + | - | + | - |
+----------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+----+----+
Figure 13: Scenario Comparison
As a general conclusion, we should note that if the network must
support applications using literals, non-IPv6-compliant APIs, or
IPv4-only hosts or applications, only the scenarios with 464XLAT, or
equivalent built-in local address synthesis features, will provide a
solution. Further to that, those scenarios will also keep working if
the user changes the DNS setup. Clearly also, depending on if DNS64
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is used or not, DNSSEC may be broken for those hosts doing DNSSEC
validation.
4. Issues to be Considered
This section reviews the different issues that an operator needs to
consider towards a NAT64/464XLAT deployment, as they may bring to
decision points about how to approach that deployment.
4.1. DNSSEC Considerations and Possible Approaches
As indicated in Section 8 of [RFC6147] (DNS64, Security
Considerations), because DNS64 modifies DNS answers and DNSSEC is
designed to detect such modifications, DNS64 can break DNSSEC.
If a device connected to an IPv6-only WAN queries for a domain name
in a signed zone, by means of a recursive name server that supports
DNS64, and the result is a synthesized AAAA record, and the recursive
name server is configured to perform DNSSEC validation and has a
valid chain of trust to the zone in question, it will
cryptographically validate the negative response from the
authoritative name server. This is the expected DNS64 behavior: The
recursive name server actually lies to the client device. However,
in most of the cases, the client will not notice it, because
generally, they don't perform validation themselves and instead, rely
on the recursive name servers.
A validating DNS64 resolver in fact, increase the confidence on the
synthetic AAAA, as it has validated that a non-synthetic AAAA for
sure, doesn't exists. However, if the client device is
NAT64-oblivious (most common case) and performs DNSSEC validation on
the AAAA record, it will fail as it is a synthesized record.
The best possible scenario from DNSSEC point of view is when the
client requests the DNS64 server to perform the DNSSEC validation (by
setting the DO bit to 1 and the CD bit to 0). In this case, the
DNS64 server validates the data thus tampering may only happen inside
the DNS64 server (which is considered as a trusted part, thus its
likelihood is low) or between the DNS64 server and the client. All
other parts of the system (including transmission and caching) are
protected by DNSSEC ([Threat-DNS64]).
Similarly, if the client querying the recursive name server is
another name server configured to use it as a forwarder, and is
performing DNSSEC validation, it will also fail on any synthesized
AAAA record.
All those considerations are extensively covered in Sections 3, 5.5
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and 6.2 of [RFC6147].
The ideal solution to avoid DNSSEC issues, will be that all the
signed zones also provide IPv6 connectivity, together with the
corresponding AAAA records, which is out of the control of the
operator needing to deploy NAT64. This has been proposed already in
[I-D.bp-v6ops-ipv6-ready-dns-dnssec].
An alternative solution, which was the one considered while
developing [RFC6147], is that validators will be DNS64-aware, so
could perform the necessary discovery and do their own synthesis.
That was done under the expectation that it was sufficiently early in
the validator-deployment curve that it would be ok to break certain
DNSSEC assumptions for networks who were really stuck in a NAT64/
DNS64-needing world.
As already indicated, the scenarios in the previous section, are in
fact somehow simplified, looking at the worst possible case (or
saying it in a different way: "trying to look for the most perfect
approach"), because breaking DNSSEC will not happen if the end-host
is not doing validation. Previous data seems to indicate that the
figures of DNSSEC actually broken by using DNS64 will be around 1.7%
([About-DNS64]) of the cases. So, a decision point for the operator
must depend on "do I really care for that percentage of cases and the
impact in my helpdesk or can I provide alternative solutions for
them?". Some possible solutions may be taken, as depicted in the
next sections.
4.1.1. Not using DNS64
The ideal solution will be to avoid using DNS64, but as already
indicated this is not possible in all the scenarios.
However, not having a DNS64, means that is not possible to
heuristically discover the NAT64 ([RFC7050]) and consequently, an
IPv6 host in the IPv6-only access network, will not be able to detect
the presence of the NAT64, neither to learn the IPv6 prefix to be
used for it, unless it is configured by alternative means.
The learning of the IPv6 prefix could be solved by means of adding
the relevant AAAA records to the ipv4only.arpa. zone of the service
provider recursive servers, i.e., if using the WKP (64:ff9b::/96):
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ipv4only.arpa. SOA . . 0 0 0 0 0
ipv4only.arpa. NS .
ipv4only.arpa. AAAA 64:ff9b::192.0.0.170
ipv4only.arpa. AAAA 64:ff9b::192.0.0.171
ipv4only.arpa. A 192.0.0.170
ipv4only.arpa. A 192.0.0.171
An alternative option to the above, is the use of DNS RPZ (Response
Policy Zones).
One more alternative, only valid in environments with PCP support
(for both the hosts or CEs and for the service provider network), to
follow [RFC7225] (Discovering NAT64 IPv6 Prefixes using PCP).
Other alternatives may be available in the future, such as Router
Advertising ([I-D.ietf-6man-ra-pref64]) or DHCPv6 options.
It may be convenient to support at the same time several of the
approaches described, in order to ensure that clients with different
ways to configure the NAT64 prefix, successfully obtain it. This is
also convenient even if DNS64 is being used.
4.1.2. DNSSEC validator aware of DNS64
In general, DNS servers with DNS64 function, by default, will not
synthesize AAAA responses if the DNSSEC OK (DO) flag was set in the
query. In this case, as only an A record is available, it means that
the CLAT will take the responsibility, as in the case of literal IPv4
addresses, to keep that traffic flow end-to-end as IPv4, so DNSSEC is
not broken. However, this will not work if a CLAT is not present as
the hosts will not be able to use IPv4 (scenarios without 464XLAT).
4.1.3. Stub validator
If the DO flag is set and the client device performs DNSSEC
validation, and the Checking Disabled (CD) flag is set for a query,
as the DNS64 recursive server will not synthesize AAAA responses, the
client could perform the DNSSEC validation with the A record and then
may query the network for a NAT64 prefix ([RFC7050], [RFC7225],
[I-D.ietf-6man-ra-pref64] or other methods) in order to synthesize
the AAAA ([RFC6052]). This allow the client device to avoid using
the CLAT and still use NAT64 even with DNSSEC.
If the end-host is IPv4-only, this will not work if a CLAT is not
present (scenarios without 464XLAT), unless the client is able to
locally perform the address synthesis.
Some devices/OSs may implement, instead of CLAT, a similar function
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by using Bump-in-the-Host ([RFC6535]), implemented as part of Happy
Eyeballs v2 (Section 7.1 of [RFC8305]). In this case, the
considerations in the above paragraphs are also applicable.
4.1.4. CLAT with DNS proxy and validator
If a CE includes CLAT support and also a DNS proxy, as indicated in
Section 6.4 of [RFC6877], the CE could behave as a stub validator on
behalf of the client devices, following the same approach described
in the precedent Section 4.1.3. So, the DNS proxy actually lies to
the client devices, which in most of the cases will not notice it
unless they perform validation themselves. Again, this allow the
client devices to avoid using the CLAT and still use NAT64 with
DNSSEC.
Once more, this will not work without a CLAT (scenarios without
464XLAT).
4.1.5. ACL of clients
In cases of dual-stack clients, stub resolvers should send the AAAA
queries before the A ones. So, such clients, if DNS64 is enabled,
will never get A records, even for IPv4-only servers, and they may be
in the path before the NAT64 and accessible by IPv4. If DNSSEC is
being used for all those flows, specific addresses or prefixes can be
left-out the DNS64 synthesis by means of ACLs.
Once more, this will not work without a CLAT (scenarios without
464XLAT).
4.1.6. Mapping-out IPv4 addresses
If there are well-known specific IPv4 addresses or prefixes using
DNSSEC, they can be mapped-out of the DNS64 synthesis.
Even if this is not related to DNSSEC, this "mapping-out" feature is
actually, quite commonly used to ensure that [RFC1918] addresses (for
example used by LAN servers) are not synthesized to AAAA.
Once more, this will not work without a CLAT (scenarios without
464XLAT).
4.2. DNS64 and Reverse Mapping
When a client device, using a name server configured to perform
DNS64, tries to reverse-map a synthesized IPv6 address, the name
server responds with a CNAME record pointing the domain name used to
reverse-map the synthesized IPv6 address (the one under ip6.arpa), to
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the domain name corresponding to the embedded IPv4 address (under in-
addr.arpa).
This is the expected behavior, so no issues to be considered
regarding DNS reverse mapping.
4.3. Using 464XLAT with/without DNS64
In the case the client device is IPv6-only (either because the stack
or application is IPv6-only, or because it is connected via an
IPv6-only LAN) and the remote server is IPv4-only (either because the
stack is IPv4-only, or because it is connected via an IPv4-only LAN),
only NAT64 combined with DNS64 will be able to provide access among
both. Because DNS64 is then required, DNSSEC validation will be only
possible if the recursive name server is validating the negative
response from the authoritative name server and the client is not
performing validation.
Note that is not expected at this stage of the transition, that
applications or operating systems are IPv6-only, and it will not be a
sensible decision for a developer to work on that direction, unless
it is clear that the deployment scenario allows it. On the other
hand, an end-user or enterprise network may decide to run IPv6-only
in the LANs, but in case there is any chance for applications to be
IPv6-only, the operating system may be responsible either for doing a
local address synthesis, or alternatively, setting up some kind of
on-demand VPN (IPv4-in-IPv6), which need to be supported by that
network. This may become very common in enterprise networks, where
"Unique IPv6 Prefix per Host" [RFC8273].
However, when the client device is dual-stack and/or connected in a
dual-stack LAN by means of a CLAT (or has the built-in CLAT), DNS64
is an option.
1. With DNS64: If DNS64 is used, most of the IPv4 traffic (except if
using literal IPv4 addresses or non-IPv6 compliant APIs) will not
use the CLAT, so will use the IPv6 path and only one translation
will be done at the NAT64. This may break DNSSEC, unless
measures as described in the precedent sections are taken.
2. Without DNS64: If DNS64 is not used, all the IPv4 traffic will
make use of the CLAT, so two translations are required (NAT46 at
the CLAT and NAT64 at the PLAT), which adds some overhead in
terms of the extra NAT46 translation, however avoids the AAAA
synthesis and consequently will never break DNSSEC.
Note that the extra translation, when DNS64 is not used, takes place
at the CLAT, which means no extra overhead for the operator, and no
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perceptible impact for a CE in a broadband network, while it may have
some impact in a battery powered device. This cost for a battery
powered device, is possibly comparable to the cost when the device is
doing a local address synthesis (see Section 7.1 of [RFC8305]).
4.4. Manual Configuration of Foreign DNS
When clients, in a service provider network, use DNS servers from
other networks, for example manually configured by users, they may
support or not DNS64, so the considerations in Section 4.3 will apply
as well.
Even in the case that the external DNS supports DNS64 function, we
may be in the situation of providing incorrect configurations
parameters, for example un-matching WKP or NSP, or a case such the
one described in Section 3.2.3.
A similar situation may happen in case of split DNS scenarios, for
example, when using a VPN that forces all the DNS queries thru the
VPN, ignoring the DNS64.
Having a CLAT, even if using an external DNS without DNS64, ensures
that everything will work, so the CLAT must be considered as an
advantage against user configuration errors.
However, it needs to be reinforced, that if there is not a CLAT
(scenarios without 464XLAT), an external DNS without DNS64 support,
will disallow any access to IPv4-only networks, and will not
guarantee DNSSEC, so will behave as in the Section 3.2.1.
4.5. DNS Privacy
If clients use mechanisms for DNS privacy, such as DNS over TLS
([RFC7858]), DNS over DTLS ([RFC8094]), DNS queries over HTTPS
([RFC8484]) or DNS over QUIC ([I-D.huitema-quic-dnsoquic]), as they
may provide different results to the same query, it must be expected
equivalent effects as described in Section 4.4.
4.6. Split DNS
As already indicated in precedent sections, the successful use of the
DNS64 is not guaranteed when networks or hosts can use "split-DNS"
(also called Split Horizon), private DNS. Section 4. of [RFC6950],
analyses this case. This a very common situation when using VPNs.
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4.7. Well-Known Prefix (WKP) vs Network-Specific Prefix (NSP)
[RFC6052] (IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators), Section 3,
discusses some considerations which are useful to decide if an
operator should use the WKP or an NSP.
Taking in consideration that discussion and other issues, we can
summarize the possible decision points as:
a. The WKP MUST NOT be used to represent non-global IPv4 addresses.
If this is required, because the network to be translated use
non-global addresses then an NSP is required.
b. The WKP MAY appear in inter-domain routing tables, if the
operator provides NAT64 to peers, however special considerations
related to BGP filtering are then required and IPv4-embedded IPv6
prefixes longer than the WKP MUST NOT be advertised in BGP. An
NSP may be a more appropriate option in those cases.
c. If several NAT64s use the same prefix, packets from the same flow
may be routed to different NAT64s in case of routing changes.
This can be avoided either by using different prefixes for each
NAT64, or by ensuring that all the NAT64s coordinate their state.
Using an NSP could facilitate that.
d. If DNS64 is required and users may change their DNS
configuration, and deliberately choose an alternative DNS64, most
probably alternative DNS64s will use by default the WKP. In that
case, if an NSP is used by the NAT64, the users will not be able
to use the operator NAT64.
4.8. IPv4 literals and old APIs
A hosts or application using literal IPv4 addresses or older APIs,
behind a network with IPv6-only access, will not work unless a CLAT
(or equivalent function) is present.
A possible alternative approach is described as part of Happy
Eyeballs v2 Section 7.1 ([RFC8305]). When HEv2 is not supported, one
more alternative is using Bump-in-the-Host ([RFC6535]), and then a
DNS64 function.
Those alternatives will solve the problem for and end-hosts, however,
if that end-hosts is providing "tethering" or an equivalent service
to others hosts, that need to be considered as well. In other words,
in a case of a cellular network, it resolves the issue for the UE
itself, but may be not the case for hosts behind it.
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Otherwise, 464XLAT is the only valid approach to resolve this issue.
4.9. IPv4-only Hosts or Applications
An IPv4-only hosts or application behind a network with IPv6-only
access, will not work unless a CLAT is present. 464XLAT is the only
valid approach to resolve this issue.
4.10. CLAT Translation Considerations
As described in Section 6.3 of [RFC6877] (IPv6 Prefix Handling), if
the CLAT can be configured with a dedicated /64 prefix for the NAT46
translation, then it will be possible to do a more efficient
stateless translation.
However, if this dedicated prefix is not available, the CLAT will
need to do a stateful translation, for example performing stateful
NAT44 for all the IPv4 LAN packets, so they appear as coming from a
single IPv4 address, and then in turn, stateless translated to a
single IPv6 address.
One possible setup, in order to maximize the CLAT performance, is to
configure the dedicated translation prefix. This can be easily
achieved automatically, if the broadband CE or end-user device is
able to obtain a shorter prefix by means of DHCPv6-PD ([RFC8415]), or
other alternatives, so the CE can use a specific /64 for the
translation. This is also possible when broadband is provided by a
cellular access.
The above recommendation is often not possible for cellular networks,
when connecting smartphones (as UEs), as generally they don't use
DHCPv6-PD ([RFC8415]) an instead a single /64 is provided for each
PDP context and use /64 prefix sharing ([RFC6877]). So, in this
case, the UEs typically have a build-in CLAT client, which is doing a
stateful NAT44 before the stateless NAT46.
4.11. EAMT Considerations
Explicit Address Mappings for Stateless IP/ICMP Translation [RFC7757]
provides a way to configure explicit mappings between IPv4 and IPv6
prefixes of any length. When this is used, for example in a CLAT, it
may provide a simple mechanism in order to avoid traffic flows
between IPv4-only nodes or applications and dual-stack destinations
to be translated twice (NAT46 and NAT64), by creating mapping entries
with the GUA of the IPv6-reachable destination. This optimization of
the NAT64 usage is very useful in many scenarios, including CDNs and
caches, as described in [I-D.palet-v6ops-464xlat-opt-cdn-caches].
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5. Summary of Deployment Recommendations for NAT64/464XLAT
It can be argued that none of the possible transition mechanisms is
perfect, and somehow, we may consider that actually this is a good
thing as a way to push for the IPv6 deployment, or otherwise, it may
be further delayed, with clear undesirable effects for the global
Internet.
However, for an operator, being in business means minimizing the
adverse transition effects, and provide the most perfect one,
reasonably balanced with cost (CAPEX/OPEX) and at the same time,
looking for a valid long-term vision.
NAT64/464XLAT has demonstrated to be a valid choice in several
scenarios (IPv6-IPv4 and IPv4-IPv6-IPv4), with hundreds of millions
of users, offering different choices of deployment, depending on each
network case, needs and requirements.
Depending on those requirements, DNS64 may be a required function,
while in other cases the adverse effects may be counterproductive.
Similarly, in some cases NAT64, together with DNS64, may be a valid
solution, when for sure there is no need to support hosts or
applications which are IPv4-only (Section 4.8 and Section 4.9).
However, in other cases the limitations they have, may suggest the
operator to look into 464XLAT as a more complete solution.
Service providers willing to deploy NAT64, need to take into account
the considerations of this document in order to better decide what is
more appropriate for their own specific case.
In the case of broadband managed networks (CE provided or suggested/
supported by the operator), in order to fully support the actual user
needs (IPv4-only devices and applications, usage of literals and old
APIs), they should consider the 464XLAT scenario and in that case,
must support the customer-side translator (CLAT).
If the operator offers DNS services, in order to increase performance
by reducing the double translation for all the IPv4 traffic, they may
support DNS64 and avoid, as much as possible, breaking DNSSEC. In
this case, if the DNS service is offering DNSSEC validation, then it
must be in such way that it is aware of the DNS64. This is
considered the simpler and safer approach, and may be combined as
well with the other possible recommendations described in this
document:
o DNS infrastructure MUST be aware of DNS64 (Section 4.1.2).
o Devices running CLAT SHOULD follow the indications in
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Section 4.1.3 (Stub validator). However, this may be out of the
control of the operator.
o CEs SHOULD include a DNS proxy and validator (Section 4.1.4).
o Section 4.1.5 (ACL of clients) and Section 4.1.6 (Mapping-out IPv4
addresses) MAY be considered by operators, depending on their own
infrastructure.
This "increased performance" approach has the disadvantage of
potentially breaking DNSSEC for a small percentage of validating end-
hosts versus the small impact of a double translation taking place in
the CE. If CE performance is not an issue, which is the most
frequent case, then a much safer approach is to not use DNS64 at all,
and consequently, ensure that all the IPv4 traffic is translated at
the CLAT (Section 4.3).
If DNS64 is not used, at least one of the alternatives described in
Section 4.1.1, must be followed in order to learn he NAT64 prefix.
The operator needs to consider that if the user can modify the DNS
configuration (which most probably is impossible to avoid), and
instead of configuring a DNS64 choose an external regular DNS (non-
DNS64), a scenario with only NAT64 will not work with any IPv4-only
remote host, while it will continue working in the case of 464XLAT
(Section 4.4). Same effects are to be expected if DNS privacy
protocols are being used by customers (Section 4.5), as well as in
the case of Split DNS (Section 4.6).
Similar considerations need to be taken regarding the usage of a
NAT64 Well-Known-Prefix (WKP) vs Network-Specific Prefix (NSP)
(Section 4.7), in the sense of, if using DNS64, they must match and,
if the user can change the DNS configuration, they will, most
probably, not match. If there is a CLAT and the users chosen DNS is
not a DNS64, the network will keep working of other means of learning
the NAT64 are available.
As described in Section 4.10 in broadband networks, it is recommended
that CEs supporting CLAT, supports DHCPv6-PD ([RFC8415]), or
alternative means for configuring a shorter prefix, and internally
reserve one /64 for the stateless NAT46 translation. The operator
must ensure that the customers get allocated prefixes shorter than
/64 in order to support this optimization. One way or the other,
this is not impacting the performance of the operator network.
Operators may follow Section 7 of [RFC6877] (Deployment
Considerations), for suggestions in order to take advantage of
traffic engineering requirements.
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In the case of cellular networks, the considerations regarding DNSSEC
may appear as out-of-scope, because UEs OSs, commonly don't support
DNSSEC, however applications running on them may do, or it may be an
OS "built-in" support in the future. Moreover, if those devices
offer tethering, other client devices behind the UE, may be doing the
validation, hence the relevance of a proper DNSSEC support by the
operator network.
Furthermore, cellular networks supporting 464XLAT ([RFC6877]) and
"Discovery of the IPv6 Prefix Used for IPv6 Address Synthesis"
([RFC7050]), allow a progressive IPv6 deployment, with a single APN
supporting all types of PDP context (IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6), in such way
that the network is able to automatically serve every possible
combinations of UEs.
If the operator chooses to provide validation for the DNS64 prefix
discovery, it must follow the advice from Section 3.1. of [RFC7050]
(Validation of Discovered Pref64::/n).
One last consideration, is that many networks may have a mix of
different complex scenarios at the same time, for example, customers
requiring 464XLAT, others not requiring it, customers requiring
DNS64, others not, etc. In general, the different issues and the
approaches described in this document can be implemented at the same
time for different customers or parts of the network. That mix of
approaches don't present any problem or incompatibility, as they work
well together, being just a matter of appropriate and differentiated
provisioning.
In an ideal world will, we could safely use DNS64, if the approach
proposed in [I-D.bp-v6ops-ipv6-ready-dns-dnssec] is followed,
avoiding the cases where DNSSEC may be broken. However, this will
not solve the issues related to DNS Privacy and Split DNS.
The only 100% safe solution, which also resolves all the issues, will
be, in addition to having a CLAT, not using a DNS64 but instead
making sure that the hosts have a built-in address synthesis feature.
Operators could manage to use the CLAT, however the built-in address
synthesis feature is out of their control, and can only be resolved
by operating system vendors.
Whenever feasible, using EAMT ([RFC7757]) as indicated in
Section 4.11, provides a very relevant optimization, avoiding double-
translations.
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6. Deployment of NAT64 in Enterprise Networks
The recommendations of this document can be used as well in
enterprise networks, campus and other similar scenarios (including
managed end-user networks).
This include scenarios where the NAT64 (and/or DNS64) are under the
control of that network (or can be configured manually according to
that network specific requirements), and for whatever reasons, there
is a need to provide "IPv6-only access" to any part of that network
or it is IPv6-only connected to third party networks.
An example of that is the IETF meetings network itself, where a NAT64
and DNS64 are provided, presenting in this case the same issues as
per Section 3.1.1. If there is a CLAT in the IETF network, then
there is no need to use DNS64 and it falls under the considerations
of Section 3.1.3. Both scenarios have been tested and verified
already in the IETF network itself.
Next figures are only meant to represent a few of the possible
scenarios, not pretending to be the only feasible ones.
The following figure provides an example of and IPv6-only enterprise
network connected with dual-stack to Internet and using local NAT64
and DNS64.
+----------------------------------+
| Enterprise Network |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
| | IPv6 | | NAT64 | | | IPv4 |
| | only +--------+ + | +-------+ + |
| | LANs | | DNS64 | | | IPv6 |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
+----------------------------------+
Figure 14: IPv6-only enterprise with NAT64 and DNS64
The following figure provides an example of dual-stack (DS)
enterprise network connected with dual-stack (DS) to Internet and
using CLAT, without DNS64.
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+----------------------------------+
| Enterprise Network |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
| | IPv6 | | | | | IPv4 |
| | + +--------+ NAT64 | +-------+ + |
| | CLAT | | | | | IPv6 |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
+----------------------------------+
Figure 15: DS enterprise with CLAT, DS Internet, without DNS64
Finally, the following figure provides an example of an IPv6-only
provider with NAT64, and a dual-stack (DS) enterprise network by
means of their own CLAT, without DNS64.
+----------------------------------+
| Enterprise Network |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
| | IPv6 | | | | IPv6 | |
| | + +--------+ CLAT | +--------+ NAT64 |
| | IPv4 | | | | only | |
| +----------+ +----------+ | +----------+
+----------------------------------+
Figure 16: DS enterprise with CLAT, IPv6-only Internet, without DNS64
7. Security Considerations
This document does not have any new specific security considerations.
8. IANA Considerations
This document does not have any new specific IANA considerations.
Note: This section is assuming that https://www.rfc-
editor.org/errata/eid5152 is resolved, otherwise, this section may
include the required text to resolve the issue.
9. Acknowledgements
The author would like to acknowledge the inputs of Gabor Lencse,
Andrew Sullivan, Lee Howard, Barbara Stark, Fred Baker, Mohamed
Boucadair and TBD ...
Conversations with Marcelo Bagnulo, one of the co-authors of NAT64
and DNS64, as well as several emails in mailing lists from Mark
Andrews, have been very useful for this work.
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Christian Huitema inspired working in this document by suggesting
that DNS64 should never be used, during a discussion regarding the
deployment of CLAT in the IETF network.
10. ANNEX A: Example of Broadband Deployment with 464XLAT
This section summarizes how an operator may deploy an IPv6-only
network for residential/SOHO customers, supporting IPv6 inbound
connections, and IPv4-as-a-Service (IPv4aaS) by using 464XLAT.
Note that an equivalent setup could also be provided for enterprise
customers. In case they need to support IPv4 inbound connections,
several mechanisms, depending on specific customer needs, allow that.
Conceptually, most of the operator network could be IPv6-only
(represented in the next pictures as "IPv6-only Internet"). This
part of the network connects the IPv6-only subscribers (by means of
IPv6-only access links), to the IPv6 upstream providers, as well as
to the IPv4-Internet by means of the NAT64 (PLAT in the 464XLAT
terminology).
The traffic flow from and back to the CE to services available in the
IPv6 Internet (or even dual-stack remote services, when IPv6 is being
used), is purely native IPv6 traffic, so no special considerations
about it.
Looking at the picture from the DNS perspective, there are remote
networks with are IPv4-only, and typically will have only IPv4 DNS
(DNS/IPv4), or at least will be seen as that from the CE perspective.
At the operator side, the DNS, as seen from the CE, is only IPv6
(DNS/IPv6) and has also a DNS64 function.
In the customer LANs side, there is actually one network, which of
course could be split in different segments, and the most common
setup will be those segments being dual-stack (global IPv6 addresses
and [RFC1918] for IPv4, as usual in any regular residential/SOHO IPv4
network today). In the figure it is represented as tree segments,
just to show that the three possible setups are valid (IPv6-only,
IPv4-only and dual-stack).
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.-----. +-------+ .-----. .-----.
/ IPv6- \ | | / \ / \
( only )--+ Res./ | / IPv6- \ .-----. / IPv4- \
\ LANs / | SOHO +--( only )--( NAT64 )--( only )
`-----' | | \ Internet/ `-----' \ Internet/
.-----. | IPv6 | \ / \ /
/ IPv4- \ | CE | `--+--' `--+--'
( only )--+ with | | |
\ LANs / | CLAT | +---+----+ +---+----+
`-----' | | |DNS/IPv6| |DNS/IPv4|
.-----. +---+---+ | with | +--------+
/ Dual- \ | | DNS64 |
( Stack )------| +--------+
\ LANs /
`-----'
Figure 17: CE setup with built-in CLAT with DNS64
In addition to the regular CE setup, which will be typically access-
technology dependent, the steps for the CLAT configuration can be
summarized as:
1. Discovery of the PLAT (NAT64) prefix: It may be done using
[RFC7050], or in those networks where PCP is supported, by means
of [RFC7225], or other alternatives that may be available in the
future, such as Router Advertising ([I-D.ietf-6man-ra-pref64]) or
DHCPv6 options.
2. If the CLAT allows stateless NAT46 translation, a /64 from the
pool typically provided to the CE by means of DHCPv6-PD
[RFC8415], need to be set aside for that translation. Otherwise,
the CLAT is forced to perform an intermediate stateful NAT44
before the a stateless NAT46, as described in Section 4.10.
A more detailed configuration approach is described in
[I-D.ietf-v6ops-transition-ipv4aas].
The operator network needs to ensure that the correct responses are
provided for the discovery of the PLAT prefix, as well as it is
highly recommended follows [RIPE-690], in order to ensure that
multiple /64s are available including the one needed for the NAT46
stateless translation.
The operator needs to understand other issues, described across this
document, in order to take the relevant decisions. For example, if
several NAT64 are needed in the context of scalability/high-
availability, an NSP should be considered (Section 4.7).
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More complex scenarios are possible, for example, if a network offers
multiple NAT64 prefixes, destination-based NAT64 prefixes, etc.
If the operator decides not to provide DNS64, then this setup turns
into the one in the following Figure. This will be also the setup
that, if the user has changed the DNS and consequently is not using
the operator DNS64, "it will be seen" from the perspective of the CE.
.-----. +-------+ .-----. .-----.
/ IPv6- \ | | / \ / \
( only )--+ Res./ | / IPv6- \ .-----. / IPv4- \
\ LANs / | SOHO +--( only )--( NAT64 )--( only )
`-----' | | \ Internet/ `-----' \ Internet/
.-----. | IPv6 | \ / \ /
/ IPv4- \ | CE | `--+--' `--+--'
( only )--+ with | | |
\ LANs / | CLAT | +---+----+ +---+----+
`-----' | | |DNS/IPv6| |DNS/IPv4|
.-----. +---+---+ +--------+ +--------+
/ Dual- \ |
( Stack )------|
\ LANs /
`-----'
Figure 18: CE setup with built-in CLAT without DNS64
In this case, the discovery of the PLAT prefix need to be arranged as
indicated in Section 4.1.1.
In this case, the CE doesn't have a built-in CLAT, or the customer
can choose to setup the IPv6 operator-managed CE in bridge mode (and
optionally use its own external router), or for example, there is an
access technology that requires some kind of media converter (ONT for
FTTH, CableModem for DOCSIS, etc.), the complete setup will look as
in the next figure. Obviously, there will be some intermediate
configuration steps for the bridge, depending on the specific access
technology/protocols, which should not modify the steps already
described in the previous cases for the CLAT configuration.
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+-------+ .-----. .-----.
| | / \ / \
| Res./ | / IPv6- \ .-----. / IPv4- \
| SOHO +--( only )--( NAT64 )--( only )
| | \ Internet/ `-----' \ Internet/
| IPv6 | \ / \ /
| CE | `--+--' `--+--'
| Bridge| | |
| | +---+----+ +---+----+
| | |DNS/IPv6| |DNS/IPv4|
+---+---+ +--------+ +--------+
|
.-----. +---+---+
/ IPv6- \ | |
( only )--+ IPv6 |
\ LANs / | Router|
`-----' | |
.-----. | with |
/ IPv4- \ | CLAT |
( only )--+ |
\ LANs / | |
`-----' | |
.-----. +---+---+
/ Dual- \ |
( Stack )------|
\ LANs /
`-----'
Figure 19: CE setup with bridged CLAT without DNS64
It should be avoided that several routers (i.e., the operator
provided CE and a downstream user provided router) enable
simultaneously routing and/or CLAT, in order to avoid multiple NAT44
and NAT46 levels, as well as ensuring the correct operation of
multiple IPv6 subnets. In those cases, it is suggested the use of
HNCP ([RFC8375]).
Note that the procedure described here for the CE setup, can be
simplified if the CE follows [I-D.ietf-v6ops-transition-ipv4aas].
11. ANNEX B: CLAT Implementation
In addition to the regular set of features for a CE, a CLAT CE
implementation requires support of:
o [RFC7915], for the NAT46 functionality.
o [RFC7050], for the PLAT prefix discovery.
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o [RFC7225], for the PLAT prefix discovery if PCP is supported.
o [I-D.ietf-6man-ra-pref64], for the PLAT prefix discovery by means
of Router Advertising.
o If stateless NAT46 is supported, a mechanism to ensure that
multiple /64 are available, such as DHCPv6-PD [RFC8415].
There are several OpenSource implementations of CLAT, such as:
o Android: https://github.com/ddrown/android_external_android-clat.
o Linux: https://github.com/toreanderson/clatd.
o OpenWRT: https://github.com/openwrt-
routing/packages/blob/master/nat46/files/464xlat.sh.
o VPP: https://git.fd.io/vpp/tree/src/plugins/nat.
12. ANNEX C: Benchmarking
Several documents provide references to benchmarking, for example in
the case of DNS64, [DNS64-Benchm].
13. ANNEX D: Changes from -00 to -01
Section to be removed after WGLC. Significant updates are:
1. Text changes across all the document.
14. ANNEX E: Changes from -01 to -02
Section to be removed after WGLC. Significant updates are:
1. Added references to new cited documents.
2. Reference to RFC8273 and on-demand IPv4-in-IPv6 VPN for IPv6-only
LANs w/o DNS64.
3. Overall review and editorial changes.
15. ANNEX F: Changes from -02 to -03
Section to be removed after WGLC. Significant updates are:
1. Added text related to EAMT considerations.
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16. References
16.1. Normative References
[RFC1918] Rekhter, Y., Moskowitz, B., Karrenberg, D., de Groot, G.,
and E. Lear, "Address Allocation for Private Internets",
BCP 5, RFC 1918, DOI 10.17487/RFC1918, February 1996,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc1918>.
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119,
DOI 10.17487/RFC2119, March 1997,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2119>.
[RFC6052] Bao, C., Huitema, C., Bagnulo, M., Boucadair, M., and X.
Li, "IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators", RFC 6052,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6052, October 2010,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6052>.
[RFC6144] Baker, F., Li, X., Bao, C., and K. Yin, "Framework for
IPv4/IPv6 Translation", RFC 6144, DOI 10.17487/RFC6144,
April 2011, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6144>.
[RFC6146] Bagnulo, M., Matthews, P., and I. van Beijnum, "Stateful
NAT64: Network Address and Protocol Translation from IPv6
Clients to IPv4 Servers", RFC 6146, DOI 10.17487/RFC6146,
April 2011, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6146>.
[RFC6147] Bagnulo, M., Sullivan, A., Matthews, P., and I. van
Beijnum, "DNS64: DNS Extensions for Network Address
Translation from IPv6 Clients to IPv4 Servers", RFC 6147,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6147, April 2011,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6147>.
[RFC6535] Huang, B., Deng, H., and T. Savolainen, "Dual-Stack Hosts
Using "Bump-in-the-Host" (BIH)", RFC 6535,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6535, February 2012,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6535>.
[RFC6877] Mawatari, M., Kawashima, M., and C. Byrne, "464XLAT:
Combination of Stateful and Stateless Translation",
RFC 6877, DOI 10.17487/RFC6877, April 2013,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6877>.
[RFC6889] Penno, R., Saxena, T., Boucadair, M., and S. Sivakumar,
"Analysis of Stateful 64 Translation", RFC 6889,
DOI 10.17487/RFC6889, April 2013,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6889>.
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[RFC7050] Savolainen, T., Korhonen, J., and D. Wing, "Discovery of
the IPv6 Prefix Used for IPv6 Address Synthesis",
RFC 7050, DOI 10.17487/RFC7050, November 2013,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7050>.
[RFC7225] Boucadair, M., "Discovering NAT64 IPv6 Prefixes Using the
Port Control Protocol (PCP)", RFC 7225,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7225, May 2014,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7225>.
[RFC7757] Anderson, T. and A. Leiva Popper, "Explicit Address
Mappings for Stateless IP/ICMP Translation", RFC 7757,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7757, February 2016,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7757>.
[RFC7915] Bao, C., Li, X., Baker, F., Anderson, T., and F. Gont,
"IP/ICMP Translation Algorithm", RFC 7915,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7915, June 2016,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7915>.
[RFC8174] Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC
2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10.17487/RFC8174,
May 2017, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8174>.
[RFC8273] Brzozowski, J. and G. Van de Velde, "Unique IPv6 Prefix
per Host", RFC 8273, DOI 10.17487/RFC8273, December 2017,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8273>.
[RFC8305] Schinazi, D. and T. Pauly, "Happy Eyeballs Version 2:
Better Connectivity Using Concurrency", RFC 8305,
DOI 10.17487/RFC8305, December 2017,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8305>.
[RFC8375] Pfister, P. and T. Lemon, "Special-Use Domain
'home.arpa.'", RFC 8375, DOI 10.17487/RFC8375, May 2018,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8375>.
[RFC8415] Mrugalski, T., Siodelski, M., Volz, B., Yourtchenko, A.,
Richardson, M., Jiang, S., Lemon, T., and T. Winters,
"Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)",
RFC 8415, DOI 10.17487/RFC8415, November 2018,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8415>.
[RFC8484] Hoffman, P. and P. McManus, "DNS Queries over HTTPS
(DoH)", RFC 8484, DOI 10.17487/RFC8484, October 2018,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8484>.
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16.2. Informative References
[About-DNS64]
APNIC Blog, "Let's talk about IPv6 DNS64 & DNSSEC", 2016,
<https://blog.apnic.net/2016/06/09/
lets-talk-ipv6-dns64-dnssec/>.
[DNS64-Benchm]
"Benchmarking DNS64 Implementations: Theory and Practice",
Computer Communications (Elsevier), vol. 127, no. 1,
pp. 61-74, DOI 10.1016/j.comcom.2018.05.005, September
2018.
[I-D.bp-v6ops-ipv6-ready-dns-dnssec]
Byrne, C. and J. Palet, "IPv6-Ready DNS/DNSSSEC
Infrastructure", draft-bp-v6ops-ipv6-ready-dns-dnssec-00
(work in progress), October 2018.
[I-D.huitema-quic-dnsoquic]
Huitema, C., Shore, M., Mankin, A., Dickinson, S., and J.
Iyengar, "Specification of DNS over Dedicated QUIC
Connections", draft-huitema-quic-dnsoquic-06 (work in
progress), March 2019.
[I-D.ietf-6man-ra-pref64]
Colitti, L., Kline, E., and J. Linkova, "Discovering
PREF64 in Router Advertisements", draft-ietf-6man-ra-
pref64-00 (work in progress), March 2019.
[I-D.ietf-v6ops-transition-ipv4aas]
Palet, J., Liu, H., and M. Kawashima, "Requirements for
IPv6 Customer Edge Routers to Support IPv4 Connectivity
as-a-Service", draft-ietf-v6ops-transition-ipv4aas-15
(work in progress), January 2019.
[I-D.palet-v6ops-464xlat-opt-cdn-caches]
Palet, J. and A. D'Egidio, "464XLAT Optimization for CDNs/
Caches", draft-palet-v6ops-464xlat-opt-cdn-caches-01 (work
in progress), March 2019.
[RFC6950] Peterson, J., Kolkman, O., Tschofenig, H., and B. Aboba,
"Architectural Considerations on Application Features in
the DNS", RFC 6950, DOI 10.17487/RFC6950, October 2013,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6950>.
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[RFC7269] Chen, G., Cao, Z., Xie, C., and D. Binet, "NAT64
Deployment Options and Experience", RFC 7269,
DOI 10.17487/RFC7269, June 2014,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7269>.
[RFC7858] Hu, Z., Zhu, L., Heidemann, J., Mankin, A., Wessels, D.,
and P. Hoffman, "Specification for DNS over Transport
Layer Security (TLS)", RFC 7858, DOI 10.17487/RFC7858, May
2016, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7858>.
[RFC8094] Reddy, T., Wing, D., and P. Patil, "DNS over Datagram
Transport Layer Security (DTLS)", RFC 8094,
DOI 10.17487/RFC8094, February 2017,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8094>.
[RIPE-690]
RIPE, "Best Current Operational Practice for Operators:
IPv6 prefix assignment for end-users - persistent vs non-
persistent, and what size to choose", October 2017,
<https://www.ripe.net/publications/docs/ripe-690>.
[Threat-DNS64]
"Methodology for the identification of potential security
issues of different IPv6 transition technologies: Threat
analysis of DNS64 and stateful NAT64", Computers &
Security (Elsevier), vol. 77, no. 1, pp. 397-411,
DOI 10.1016/j.cose.2018.04.012, August 2018.
Author's Address
Jordi Palet Martinez
The IPv6 Company
Molino de la Navata, 75
La Navata - Galapagar, Madrid 28420
Spain
Email: jordi.palet@theipv6company.com
URI: http://www.theipv6company.com/
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