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Reclassifying RFC6052 to Internet Standard
draft-palet-v6ops-translators-addressing-std-01

Document Type Active Internet-Draft (individual)
Author Jordi Palet Martinez
Last updated 2025-10-19
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draft-palet-v6ops-translators-addressing-std-01
v6ops                                                  J. Palet Martinez
Internet-Draft                                          The IPv6 Company
Intended status: Standards Track                         19 October 2025
Expires: 22 April 2026

               Reclassifying RFC6052 to Internet Standard
            draft-palet-v6ops-translators-addressing-std-01

Abstract

   This document reclassifies IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators
   ([RFC6052]) to Internet Standard.

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 22 April 2026.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2025 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
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   provided without warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.

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Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
   2.  Implementation Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
   3.  References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     3.1.  Normative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     3.2.  Informative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
   Author's Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

1.  Introduction

   This document proposes that IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators
   ([RFC6052]) is advanced Internet Standard, following RFC6410
   ([RFC6410]).

   (1) There are at least two independent interoperating implementations
   with widespread deployment and successful operational experience.

   IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators ([RFC6052]) has been widely
   implemented by at least a dozen of vendors and its being used in
   commercial deployments by hundreds of millions of devices.

   (2) There are no errata against the specification that would cause a
   new implementation to fail to interoperate with deployed ones.

   IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators ([RFC6052]) has no errata
   filed.

   (3) There are no unused features in the specification that greatly
   increase implementation complexity.

   There are no unused features.

   (4) If the technology required to implement the specification
   requires patented or otherwise controlled technology, then the set of
   implementations must demonstrate at least two independent, separate
   and successful uses of the licensing process.

   None.

2.  Implementation Status

   Note to RFC Editor: If this document needs to be published, please
   remove this section before publication, as it is only intended for
   the IESG evaluation.

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   This section summarized the known status of existing and
   interoperable implementations of the protocol subject of this
   document, as well as closely related protocols.  This is following
   ([RFC7942]) and intended to assist the relevant WGs, IESG and IETF as
   a whole, in the evaluation of the document for the document progress
   through the standardization process.

   The description of the implementations is does not imply any IETF
   endorsement and is solely based on public available information,
   which has not been formally confirmed by specific interoperatbility
   testing for this document publication; however, it is known to be
   confirmed by existing commercial working deployments worldwide and
   without knows interoperability issues.

   IPv6 Addressing of IPv4/IPv6 Translators ([RFC6052]) was originally
   published in October 2010.

   ([RFC6052]) needs to be implemented when implementing other related
   protocols (just to name a few of the most relevant ones) such as:

   *  Stateful NAT64: Network Address and Protocol Translation from IPv6
      Clients to IPv4 Servers ([RFC6146]).

   *  DNS64: DNS Extensions for Network Address Translation from IPv6
      Clients to IPv4 Servers ([RFC6147]).

   *  Mapping of Address and Port using Translation (MAP-T) ([RFC7599]).

   *  SIIT-DC: Stateless IP/ICMP Translation for IPv6 Data Center
      Environments ([RFC7755]).

   *  Stateless IP/ICMP Translation for IPv6 Internet Data Center
      Environments (SIIT-DC): Dual Translation Mode ([RFC7756]).

   *  464XLAT: Combination of Stateful and Stateless Translation
      ([RFC7877]).

   *  IP/ICMP Translation Algorithm ([RFC7915]).

   Follows a list of known implementations by different products/
   vendors, known to be mature and in production products worlwide:

   *  6Wind.  Implemented in multiple products as part of NAT64 support.
      https://www.6wind.com/6wind-cg-nat-vrouter-with-nat64/.

   *  A10.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support.

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   *  AlliedTelesis.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the
      NAT64 support.https://www.alliedtelesis.com/sites/default/files/
      documents/configuration-guides/
      transitioning_ipv4_to_ipv6_feature_overview_guide.pdf.

   *  Amazon.  Virtual Private Cloud.
      https://docs.aws.amazon.com/vpc/latest/userguide/nat-gateway-
      nat64-dns64.html.

   *  Android (Google).  Implemented since earlier CLAT implementation
      in 2012. https://android.googlesource.com/platform/external/
      android-clat.  Implemented also in Google Cloud.
      https://cloud.google.com/vpc/docs/ipv6-to-ipv4-overview.

   *  Apple.  Implemented since 2016. https://developer.apple.com/librar
      y/archive/documentation/NetworkingInternetWeb/Conceptual/
      NetworkingOverview/UnderstandingandPreparingfortheIPv6Transition/
      UnderstandingandPreparingfortheIPv6Transition.html.

   *  Arista.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      implementation. https://www.arista.com/en/support/toi/eos-
      4-24-0f/14495-map-t-border-relay.

   *  BlueCat.  Implemented as part of the DNS64 support.
      https://docs.bluecatnetworks.com/r/Address-Manager-Administration-
      Guide/DNS64/9.4.0.

   *  Bpfnat.  Implemented as part of the CLAT support.
      https://github.com/apalrd/bpfnat.

   *  Broadcom.  Implemented in VMWare.
      https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/nsx/nsxt-dc/3-1/
      administration-guide/network-address-translation/configure-an-nsx-
      nat64.html.

   *  Cisco.  Implemented in multiple series of products since 2010.
      https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/ios/config/17-x/ip-
      addressing/b-ip-addressing/m_iadnat-stateless-nat64.html.

   *  CLATD.  Implemented in Linux, as part of the CLAT implementation.
      https://github.com/toreanderson/clatd.

   *  Ecdysis.  Implemented as part of the NAT64 support.
      http://ecdysis.viagenie.ca/.

   *  F5.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support. https://techdocs.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-
      ip_ltm/manuals/product/cgn-implementations-11-6-0/2.html.

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   *  Fortinet.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support. https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.6/
      fortinet-carrier-grade-nat-field-reference-architecture-
      guide/891965/nat64.

   *  Huawei.  Implemented in multiple series of products.
      https://support.huawei.com/enterprise/en/doc/EDOC1100278545/
      fe351de4/nat64-configuration.

   *  Infoblox.  Implemented as part of the DNS64 support.
      https://www.a10networks.com/products/thunder-cgn/.

   *  Jool.  Implmemented since 2014. https://nicmx.github.io/Jool/en/
      index.html.

   *  Juniper.  Implemented in multiple series of products as part of
      the NAT64 support.
      https://www.juniper.net/documentation/us/en/software/nce/nce-
      nat64-ipv6-ipv4-depletion/topics/concept/ipv6-nat64-ipv4-
      depletion-overview.html.

   *  Microsoft.  Implemented for the CLAT support in 2016.
      https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/networkingblog/core-
      network-stack-features-in-the-creators-update-for-windows-
      10/339676.

   *  Nokia.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support. https://documentation.nokia.com/html/0_add-h-f/93-0262-
      HTML/7750_SR_OS_MSISA_Guide/Application-Assurance-NAT.pdf.

   *  OpenWRT.  Implemented as part of the support of CLAT.
      https://github.com/openwrt.

   *  Palo Alto.  Implemented in muliple products as part of the NAT64
      support. https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/ngfw/networking/nat64.

   *  Sophos.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support. https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2025/04/08/sophos-firewall-
      v21-5-early-access-is-now-available/.

   *  Tayga.  Implemented as part of the NAT64 support.
      https://github.com/openthread/tayga.

   *  VPP.  Implemented as part of the NAT64 support.
      https://docs.fd.io/vpp/17.07/nat64_doc.html.

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   *  ZTE.  Implemented in multiple products as part of the NAT64
      support.
      https://www.zte.com.cn/global/product_index/ip_network_en/68e_e/
      zxr10-6800e/zxr10-6800e.html.

   Note that even an effort has been done to compile an extensive list
   (including a relevant URL), there may be many more implementations
   not publicly known, so this list doesn't pretent to be exclusive,
   just an indication of a sufficient number of implementations, as
   required for the evaluation of the current implementation status.

3.  References

3.1.  Normative References

   [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>.

   [RFC6410]  Housley, R., Crocker, D., and E. Burger, "Reducing the
              Standards Track to Two Maturity Levels", BCP 9, RFC 6410,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC6410, October 2011,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6410>.

3.2.  Informative References

   [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>.

   [RFC7599]  Li, X., Bao, C., Dec, W., Ed., Troan, O., Matsushima, S.,
              and T. Murakami, "Mapping of Address and Port using
              Translation (MAP-T)", RFC 7599, DOI 10.17487/RFC7599, July
              2015, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7599>.

   [RFC7755]  Anderson, T., "SIIT-DC: Stateless IP/ICMP Translation for
              IPv6 Data Center Environments", RFC 7755,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7755, February 2016,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7755>.

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   [RFC7756]  Anderson, T. and S. Steffann, "Stateless IP/ICMP
              Translation for IPv6 Internet Data Center Environments
              (SIIT-DC): Dual Translation Mode", RFC 7756,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7756, February 2016,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7756>.

   [RFC7877]  Cartwright, K., Bhatia, V., Ali, S., and D. Schwartz,
              "Session Peering Provisioning Framework (SPPF)", RFC 7877,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7877, August 2016,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7877>.

   [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>.

   [RFC7942]  Sheffer, Y. and A. Farrel, "Improving Awareness of Running
              Code: The Implementation Status Section", BCP 205,
              RFC 7942, DOI 10.17487/RFC7942, July 2016,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7942>.

Author's Address

   Jordi Palet Martinez
   The IPv6 Company
   Molino de la Navata, 75
   28420 La Navata - Galapagar Madrid
   Spain
   Email: jordi.palet@theipv6company.com
   URI:   http://www.theipv6company.com/

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