Design and Implementation of a Testbed Network for IPswen Development

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the design scheme of an IPswen testbed network, including its implementation techniques and transition mechanisms, which is intended to be usable for studying plausible scenarios of the long-term evolution of the “ossified” IPv4 architecture. The major challenges are how to transmit IPswen packets over existing Internet environments and how to deploy smooth transition mechanisms. Based on an extensive study in IPswen options reachability; we introduce necessary mechanisms to automatically tunnel IPswen packets on links that block IPswen options, and implement and deploy a virtual direct connection method to support routing protocols, with additional techniques to extend the testbed by interconnecting new IPswen-only subnetworks. Our results suggest that such a testbed design is viable for large-scale investigation, with the potential to grow gradually for further evaluating novel mechanisms to transition the IPv4 tech base. Topics - IPv4 Extension, IPswen Testbed.