Network Working Group                                   J. Loughney, Ed.
Request for Comments: 4294                                         Nokia
Category: Informational                                       April 2006


                        IPv6 Node Requirements

Status of This Memo

  This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
  not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
  memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

  Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).

Abstract

  This document defines requirements for IPv6 nodes.  It is expected
  that IPv6 will be deployed in a wide range of devices and situations.
  Specifying the requirements for IPv6 nodes allows IPv6 to function
  well and interoperate in a large number of situations and
  deployments.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction ....................................................2
     1.1. Requirement Language .......................................3
     1.2. Scope of This Document .....................................3
     1.3. Description of IPv6 Nodes ..................................3
  2. Abbreviations Used in This Document .............................3
  3. Sub-IP Layer ....................................................4
     3.1. Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Ethernet Networks
          - RFC 2464 .................................................4
     3.2. IP version 6 over PPP - RFC 2472 ...........................4
     3.3. IPv6 over ATM Networks - RFC 2492 ..........................4
  4. IP Layer ........................................................5
     4.1. Internet Protocol Version 6 - RFC 2460 .....................5
     4.2. Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 2461 .....................5
     4.3. Path MTU Discovery and Packet Size .........................6
     4.4. ICMP for the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) -
          RFC 2463 ...................................................7
     4.5. Addressing .................................................7
     4.6. Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6 - RFC 2710 .....8
  5. DNS and DHCP ....................................................8
     5.1. DNS ........................................................8




Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 1]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


     5.2. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6
          (DHCPv6) - RFC 3315 ........................................9
  6. IPv4 Support and Transition ....................................10
     6.1. Transition Mechanisms .....................................10
  7. Mobile IP ......................................................10
  8. Security .......................................................10
     8.1. Basic Architecture ........................................10
     8.2. Security Protocols ........................................11
     8.3. Transforms and Algorithms .................................11
     8.4. Key Management Methods ....................................12
  9. Router-Specific Functionality ..................................12
     9.1. General ...................................................12
  10. Network Management ............................................12
     10.1. Management Information Base Modules (MIBs) ...............12
  11. Security Considerations .......................................13
  12. References ....................................................13
     12.1. Normative References .....................................13
     12.2. Informative References ...................................16
  13. Authors and Acknowledgements ..................................18

1.  Introduction

  The goal of this document is to define the common functionality
  required from both IPv6 hosts and routers.  Many IPv6 nodes will
  implement optional or additional features, but this document
  summarizes requirements from other published Standards Track
  documents in one place.

  This document tries to avoid discussion of protocol details, and
  references RFCs for this purpose.  This document is informational in
  nature and does not update Standards Track RFCs.

  Although the document points to different specifications, it should
  be noted that in most cases, the granularity of requirements are
  smaller than a single specification, as many specifications define
  multiple, independent pieces, some of which may not be mandatory.

  As it is not always possible for an implementer to know the exact
  usage of IPv6 in a node, an overriding requirement for IPv6 nodes is
  that they should adhere to Jon Postel's Robustness Principle:

     Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from
     others [RFC-793].








Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 2]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


1.1.  Requirement Language

  The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
  "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
  document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [RFC-2119].

1.2.  Scope of This Document

  IPv6 covers many specifications.  It is intended that IPv6 will be
  deployed in many different situations and environments.  Therefore,
  it is important to develop the requirements for IPv6 nodes to ensure
  interoperability.

  This document assumes that all IPv6 nodes meet the minimum
  requirements specified here.

1.3.  Description of IPv6 Nodes

  From the Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification
  [RFC-2460], we have the following definitions:

     Description of an IPv6 Node

        -  a device that implements IPv6.

     Description of an IPv6 router

        -  a node that forwards IPv6 packets not explicitly addressed
           to itself.

     Description of an IPv6 Host

     -  any node that is not a router.

2.  Abbreviations Used in This Document

  ATM   Asynchronous Transfer Mode

  AH    Authentication Header

  DAD   Duplicate Address Detection

  ESP   Encapsulating Security Payload

  ICMP  Internet Control Message Protocol

  IKE   Internet Key Exchange




Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 3]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


  MIB   Management Information Base

  MLD   Multicast Listener Discovery

  MTU   Maximum Transfer Unit

  NA    Neighbor Advertisement

  NBMA  Non-Broadcast Multiple Access

  ND    Neighbor Discovery

  NS    Neighbor Solicitation

  NUD   Neighbor Unreachability Detection

  PPP   Point-to-Point Protocol

  PVC   Permanent Virtual Circuit

  SVC   Switched Virtual Circuit

3.  Sub-IP Layer

  An IPv6 node must include support for one or more IPv6 link-layer
  specifications.  Which link-layer specifications are included will
  depend upon what link-layers are supported by the hardware available
  on the system.  It is possible for a conformant IPv6 node to support
  IPv6 on some of its interfaces and not on others.

  As IPv6 is run over new layer 2 technologies, it is expected that new
  specifications will be issued.  This section highlights some major
  layer 2 technologies and is not intended to be complete.

3.1.  Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Ethernet Networks - RFC 2464

  Nodes supporting IPv6 over Ethernet interfaces MUST implement
  Transmission of IPv6 Packets over Ethernet Networks [RFC-2464].

3.2.  IP version 6 over PPP - RFC 2472

  Nodes supporting IPv6 over PPP MUST implement IPv6 over PPP
  [RFC-2472].

3.3.  IPv6 over ATM Networks - RFC 2492

  Nodes supporting IPv6 over ATM Networks MUST implement IPv6 over ATM
  Networks [RFC-2492].  Additionally, RFC 2492 states:



Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 4]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


     A minimally conforming IPv6/ATM driver SHALL support the PVC mode
     of operation.  An IPv6/ATM driver that supports the full SVC mode
     SHALL also support PVC mode of operation.

4.  IP Layer

4.1.  Internet Protocol Version 6 - RFC 2460

  The Internet Protocol Version 6 is specified in [RFC-2460].  This
  specification MUST be supported.

  Unrecognized options in Hop-by-Hop Options or Destination Options
  extensions MUST be processed as described in RFC 2460.

  The node MUST follow the packet transmission rules in RFC 2460.

  Nodes MUST always be able to send, receive, and process fragment
  headers.  All conformant IPv6 implementations MUST be capable of
  sending and receiving IPv6 packets; the forwarding functionality MAY
  be supported.

  RFC 2460 specifies extension headers and the processing for these
  headers.

     A full implementation of IPv6 includes implementation of the
     following extension headers: Hop-by-Hop Options, Routing (Type 0),
     Fragment, Destination Options, Authentication and Encapsulating
     Security Payload [RFC-2460].

  An IPv6 node MUST be able to process these headers.  It should be
  noted that there is some discussion about the use of Routing Headers
  and possible security threats [IPv6-RH] that they cause.

4.2.  Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 2461

  Neighbor Discovery SHOULD be supported.  [RFC-2461] states:

     "Unless specified otherwise (in a document that covers operating
     IP over a particular link type) this document applies to all link
     types.  However, because ND uses link-layer multicast for some of
     its services, it is possible that on some link types (e.g., NBMA
     links) alternative protocols or mechanisms to implement those
     services will be specified (in the appropriate document covering
     the operation of IP over a particular link type).  The services
     described in this document that are not directly dependent on
     multicast, such as Redirects, Next-hop determination, Neighbor
     Unreachability Detection, etc., are expected to be provided as




Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 5]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


     specified in this document.  The details of how one uses ND on
     NBMA links is an area for further study."

  Some detailed analysis of Neighbor Discovery follows:

  Router Discovery is how hosts locate routers that reside on an
  attached link.  Router Discovery MUST be supported for
  implementations.

  Prefix Discovery is how hosts discover the set of address prefixes
  that define which destinations are on-link for an attached link.
  Prefix discovery MUST be supported for implementations.  Neighbor
  Unreachability Detection (NUD) MUST be supported for all paths
  between hosts and neighboring nodes.  It is not required for paths
  between routers.  However, when a node receives a unicast Neighbor
  Solicitation (NS) message (that may be a NUD's NS), the node MUST
  respond to it (i.e., send a unicast Neighbor Advertisement).

  Duplicate Address Detection MUST be supported on all links supporting
  link-layer multicast (RFC 2462, Section 5.4, specifies DAD MUST take
  place on all unicast addresses).

  A host implementation MUST support sending Router Solicitations.

  Receiving and processing Router Advertisements MUST be supported for
  host implementations.  The ability to understand specific Router
  Advertisement options is dependent on supporting the specification
  where the RA is specified.

  Sending and Receiving Neighbor Solicitation (NS) and Neighbor
  Advertisement (NA) MUST be supported.  NS and NA messages are
  required for Duplicate Address Detection (DAD).

  Redirect functionality SHOULD be supported.  If the node is a router,
  Redirect functionality MUST be supported.

4.3.  Path MTU Discovery and Packet Size

4.3.1.  Path MTU Discovery - RFC 1981

  Path MTU Discovery [RFC-1981] SHOULD be supported, though minimal
  implementations MAY choose to not support it and avoid large packets.
  The rules in RFC 2460 MUST be followed for packet fragmentation and
  reassembly.

4.3.2.  IPv6 Jumbograms - RFC 2675

  IPv6 Jumbograms [RFC-2675] MAY be supported.



Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 6]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


4.4.  ICMP for the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) - RFC 2463

  ICMPv6 [RFC-2463] MUST be supported.

4.5.  Addressing

4.5.1.  IP Version 6 Addressing Architecture - RFC 3513

  The IPv6 Addressing Architecture [RFC-3513] MUST be supported as
  updated by [RFC-3879].

4.5.2.  IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration - RFC 2462

  IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration is defined in [RFC-2462].
  This specification MUST be supported for nodes that are hosts.
  Static address can be supported as well.

  Nodes that are routers MUST be able to generate link local addresses
  as described in RFC 2462 [RFC-2462].

  From 2462:

     The autoconfiguration process specified in this document applies
     only to hosts and not routers.  Since host autoconfiguration uses
     information advertised by routers, routers will need to be
     configured by some other means.  However, it is expected that
     routers will generate link-local addresses using the mechanism
     described in this document.  In addition, routers are expected to
     successfully pass the Duplicate Address Detection procedure
     described in this document on all addresses prior to assigning
     them to an interface.

  Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) MUST be supported.

4.5.3.  Privacy Extensions for Address Configuration in IPv6 - RFC 3041

  Privacy Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration [RFC-3041]
  SHOULD be supported.  It is recommended that this behavior be
  configurable on a connection basis within each application when
  available.  It is noted that a number of applications do not work
  with addresses generated with this method, while other applications
  work quite well with them.

4.5.4.  Default Address Selection for IPv6 - RFC 3484

  The rules specified in the Default Address Selection for IPv6
  [RFC-3484] document MUST be implemented.  It is expected that IPv6
  nodes will need to deal with multiple addresses.



Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 7]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


4.5.5.  Stateful Address Autoconfiguration

  Stateful Address Autoconfiguration MAY be supported.  DHCPv6
  [RFC-3315] is the standard stateful address configuration protocol;
  see Section 5.3 for DHCPv6 support.

  Nodes which do not support Stateful Address Autoconfiguration may be
  unable to obtain any IPv6 addresses, aside from link-local addresses,
  when it receives a router advertisement with the 'M' flag (Managed
  address configuration) set and that contains no prefixes advertised
  for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (see Section 4.5.2).
  Additionally, such nodes will be unable to obtain other configuration
  information, such as the addresses of DNS servers when it is
  connected to a link over which the node receives a router
  advertisement in which the 'O' flag ("Other stateful configuration")
  is set.

4.6.  Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6 - RFC 2710

  Nodes that need to join multicast groups SHOULD implement MLDv2
  [RFC-3810].  However, if the node has applications that only need
  support for Any-Source Multicast [RFC-3569], the node MAY implement
  MLDv1 [RFC-2710] instead.  If the node has applications that need
  support for Source-Specific Multicast [RFC-3569, SSM-ARCH], the node
  MUST support MLDv2 [RFC-3810].

  When MLD is used, the rules in the "Source Address Selection for the
  Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) Protocol" [RFC-3590] MUST be
  followed.

5.  DNS and DHCP

5.1.  DNS

  DNS is described in [RFC-1034], [RFC-1035], [RFC-3152], [RFC-3363],
  and [RFC-3596].  Not all nodes will need to resolve names; those that
  will never need to resolve DNS names do not need to implement
  resolver functionality.  However, the ability to resolve names is a
  basic infrastructure capability that applications rely on and
  generally needs to be supported.  All nodes that need to resolve
  names SHOULD implement stub-resolver [RFC-1034] functionality, as in
  RFC 1034, Section 5.3.1, with support for:

     -  AAAA type Resource Records [RFC-3596];

     -  reverse addressing in ip6.arpa using PTR records [RFC-3152];





Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 8]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


     -  EDNS0 [RFC-2671] to allow for DNS packet sizes larger than 512
        octets.

  Those nodes are RECOMMENDED to support DNS security extensions
  [RFC-4033], [RFC-4034], and [RFC-4035].

  Those nodes are NOT RECOMMENDED to support the experimental A6 and
  DNAME Resource Records [RFC-3363].

5.2.  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6) - RFC 3315

5.2.1.  Managed Address Configuration

  The method by which IPv6 nodes that use DHCP for address assignment
  can obtain IPv6 addresses and other configuration information upon
  receipt of a Router Advertisement with the 'M' flag set is described
  in Section 5.5.3 of RFC 2462.

  In addition, in the absence of a router, those IPv6 nodes that use
  DHCP for address assignment MUST initiate DHCP to obtain IPv6
  addresses and other configuration information, as described in
  Section 5.5.2 of RFC 2462.  Those IPv6 nodes that do not use DHCP for
  address assignment can ignore the 'M' flag in Router Advertisements.

5.2.2.  Other Configuration Information

  The method by which IPv6 nodes that use DHCP to obtain other
  configuration information can obtain other configuration information
  upon receipt of a Router Advertisement with the 'O' flag set is
  described in Section 5.5.3 of RFC 2462.

  Those IPv6 nodes that use DHCP to obtain other configuration
  information initiate DHCP for other configuration information upon
  receipt of a Router Advertisement with the 'O' flag set, as described
  in Section 5.5.3 of RFC 2462.  Those IPv6 nodes that do not use DHCP
  for other configuration information can ignore the 'O' flag in Router
  Advertisements.

  An IPv6 node can use the subset of DHCP (described in [RFC-3736]) to
  obtain other configuration information.

5.3.3.  Use of Router Advertisements in Managed Environments

  Nodes using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)
  are expected to determine their default router information and on-
  link prefix information from received Router Advertisements.





Loughney                     Informational                      [Page 9]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


6.  IPv4 Support and Transition

  IPv6 nodes MAY support IPv4.

6.1.  Transition Mechanisms

6.1.1.  Transition Mechanisms for IPv6 Hosts and Routers - RFC 2893

  If an IPv6 node implements dual stack and tunneling, then [RFC-4213]
  MUST be supported.

7.  Mobile IP

  The Mobile IPv6 [RFC-3775] specification defines requirements for the
  following types of nodes:

     -  mobile nodes

     -  correspondent nodes with support for route optimization

     -  home agents

     -  all IPv6 routers

  Hosts MAY support mobile node functionality described in Section 8.5
  of [RFC-3775], including support of generic packet tunneling [RFC-
  2473] and secure home agent communications [RFC-3776].

  Hosts SHOULD support route optimization requirements for
  correspondent nodes described in Section 8.2 of [RFC-3775].

  Routers SHOULD support the generic mobility-related requirements for
  all IPv6 routers described in Section 8.3 of [RFC-3775].  Routers MAY
  support the home agent functionality described in Section 8.4 of
  [RFC-3775], including support of [RFC-2473] and [RFC-3776].

8.  Security

  This section describes the specification of IPsec for the IPv6 node.

8.1.  Basic Architecture

  Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol [RFC-4301] MUST be
  supported.







Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 10]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


8.2.  Security Protocols

  ESP [RFC-4303] MUST be supported.  AH [RFC-4302] MUST be supported.

8.3.  Transforms and Algorithms

  Current IPsec RFCs specify the support of transforms and algorithms
  for use with AH and ESP: NULL encryption, DES-CBC, HMAC-SHA-1-96, and
  HMAC-MD5-96.  However, "Cryptographic Algorithm Implementation
  Requirements For ESP And AH" [RFC-4305] contains the current set of
  mandatory to implement algorithms for ESP and AH.  It also specifies
  algorithms that should be implemented because they are likely to be
  promoted to mandatory at some future time.  IPv6 nodes SHOULD conform
  to the requirements in [RFC-4305], as well as the requirements
  specified below.

  Since ESP encryption and authentication are both optional, support
  for the NULL encryption algorithm [RFC-2410] and the NULL
  authentication algorithm [RFC-4303] MUST be provided to maintain
  consistency with the way these services are negotiated.  However,
  while authentication and encryption can each be NULL, they MUST NOT
  both be NULL.  The NULL encryption algorithm is also useful for
  debugging.

  The DES-CBC encryption algorithm [RFC-2405] SHOULD NOT be supported
  within ESP.  Security issues related to the use of DES are discussed
  in [DESDIFF], [DESINT], and [DESCRACK].  DES-CBC is still listed as
  required by the existing IPsec RFCs, but updates to these RFCs will
  be published in the near future.  DES provides 56 bits of protection,
  which is no longer considered sufficient.

  The use of the HMAC-SHA-1-96 algorithm [RFC-2404] within AH and ESP
  MUST be supported.  The use of the HMAC-MD5-96 algorithm [RFC-2403]
  within AH and ESP MAY also be supported.

  The 3DES-CBC encryption algorithm [RFC-2451] does not suffer from the
  same security issues as DES-CBC, and the 3DES-CBC algorithm within
  ESP MUST be supported to ensure interoperability.

  The AES-128-CBC algorithm [RFC-3602] MUST also be supported within
  ESP.  AES-128 is expected to be a widely available, secure, and
  efficient algorithm.  While AES-128-CBC is not required by the
  current IPsec RFCs, it is expected to become required in the future.








Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 11]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


8.4.  Key Management Methods

  An implementation MUST support the manual configuration of the
  security key and SPI.  The SPI configuration is needed in order to
  delineate between multiple keys.

  Key management SHOULD be supported.  Examples of key management
  systems include IKEv2 [RFC-4306] and Kerberos; S/MIME and TLS include
  key management functions.

  Where key refresh, anti-replay features of AH and ESP, or on-demand
  creation of Security Associations (SAs) is required, automated keying
  MUST be supported.

  Key management methods for multicast traffic are also being worked on
  by the MSEC WG.

9.  Router-Specific Functionality

  This section defines general host considerations for IPv6 nodes that
  act as routers.  Currently, this section does not discuss routing-
  specific requirements.

9.1.  General

9.1.1.  IPv6 Router Alert Option - RFC 2711

  The IPv6 Router Alert Option [RFC-2711] is an optional IPv6 Hop-by-
  Hop Header that is used in conjunction with some protocols (e.g.,
  RSVP [RFC-2205] or MLD [RFC-2710]).  The Router Alert option will
  need to be implemented whenever protocols that mandate its usage are
  implemented.  See Section 4.6.

9.1.2.  Neighbor Discovery for IPv6 - RFC 2461

  Sending Router Advertisements and processing Router Solicitation MUST
  be supported.

10.  Network Management

  Network Management MAY be supported by IPv6 nodes.  However, for IPv6
  nodes that are embedded devices, network management may be the only
  possible way of controlling these nodes.

10.1.  Management Information Base Modules (MIBs)

  The following two MIBs SHOULD be supported by nodes that support an
  SNMP agent.



Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 12]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


10.1.1.  IP Forwarding Table MIB

  IP Forwarding Table MIB [RFC-4292] SHOULD be supported by nodes that
  support an SNMP agent.

10.1.2.  Management Information Base for the Internet Protocol (IP)

  IP MIB [RFC-4293] SHOULD be supported by nodes that support an SNMP
  agent.

11.  Security Considerations

  This document does not affect the security of the Internet, but
  implementations of IPv6 are expected to support a minimum set of
  security features to ensure security on the Internet.  "IP Security
  Document Roadmap" [RFC-2411] is important for everyone to read.

  The security considerations in RFC 2460 state the following:

     The security features of IPv6 are described in the Security
     Architecture for the Internet Protocol [RFC-2401].

  RFC 2401 has been obsoleted by RFC 4301, therefore refer RFC 4301 for
  the security features of IPv6.

12.  References

12.1.  Normative References

  [RFC-1035]     Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - implementation and
                 specification", STD 13, RFC 1035, November 1987.

  [RFC-1981]     McCann, J., Deering, S., and J. Mogul, "Path MTU
                 Discovery for IP version 6", RFC 1981, August 1996.

  [RFC-2104]     Krawczyk, H., Bellare, M., and R. Canetti, "HMAC:
                 Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication", RFC 2104,
                 February 1997.

  [RFC-2119]     Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
                 Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.

  [RFC-2403]     Madson, C. and R. Glenn, "The Use of HMAC-MD5-96
                 within ESP and AH", RFC 2403, November 1998.

  [RFC-2404]     Madson, C. and R. Glenn, "The Use of HMAC-SHA-1-96
                 within ESP and AH", RFC 2404, November 1998.




Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 13]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


  [RFC-2405]     Madson, C. and N. Doraswamy, "The ESP DES-CBC Cipher
                 Algorithm With Explicit IV", RFC 2405, November 1998.

  [RFC-2410]     Glenn, R. and S. Kent, "The NULL Encryption Algorithm
                 and Its Use With IPsec", RFC 2410, November 1998.

  [RFC-2411]     Thayer, R., Doraswamy, N., and R. Glenn, "IP Security
                 Document Roadmap", RFC 2411, November 1998.

  [RFC-2451]     Pereira, R. and R. Adams, "The ESP CBC-Mode Cipher
                 Algorithms", RFC 2451, November 1998.

  [RFC-2460]     Deering, S. and R. Hinden, "Internet Protocol, Version
                 6 (IPv6) Specification", RFC 2460, December 1998.

  [RFC-2461]     Narten, T., Nordmark, E., and W. Simpson, "Neighbor
                 Discovery for IP Version 6 (IPv6)", RFC 2461, December
                 1998.

  [RFC-2462]     Thomson, S. and T. Narten, "IPv6 Stateless Address
                 Autoconfiguration", RFC 2462, December 1998.

  [RFC-2463]     Conta, A. and S. Deering, "Internet Control Message
                 Protocol (ICMPv6) for the Internet Protocol Version 6
                 (IPv6) Specification", RFC 2463, December 1998.

  [RFC-2472]     Haskin, D. and E. Allen, "IP Version 6 over PPP", RFC
                 2472, December 1998.

  [RFC-2473]     Conta, A. and S. Deering, "Generic Packet Tunneling in
                 IPv6 Specification", RFC 2473, December 1998.

  [RFC-2671]     Vixie, P., "Extension Mechanisms for DNS (EDNS0)", RFC
                 2671, August 1999.

  [RFC-2710]     Deering, S., Fenner, W., and B. Haberman, "Multicast
                 Listener Discovery (MLD) for IPv6", RFC 2710, October
                 1999.

  [RFC-2711]     Partridge, C. and A. Jackson, "IPv6 Router Alert
                 Option", RFC 2711, October 1999.

  [RFC-3041]     Narten, T. and R. Draves, "Privacy Extensions for
                 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in IPv6", RFC
                 3041, January 2001.

  [RFC-3152]     Bush, R., "Delegation of IP6.ARPA", BCP 49, RFC 3152,
                 August 2001.



Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 14]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


  [RFC-3315]     Droms, R., Bound, J., Volz, B., Lemon, T., Perkins,
                 C., and M. Carney, "Dynamic Host Configuration
                 Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6)", RFC 3315, July 2003.

  [RFC-3363]     Bush, R., Durand, A., Fink, B., Gudmundsson, O., and
                 T. Hain, "Representing Internet Protocol version 6
                 (IPv6) Addresses in the Domain Name System (DNS)", RFC
                 3363, August 2002.

  [RFC-3484]     Frye, R., Levi, D., Routhier, S., and B. Wijnen,
                 "Coexistence between Version 1, Version 2, and Version
                 3 of the Internet-standard Network Management
                 Framework", BCP 74, RFC 3584, August 2003.

  [RFC-3513]     Hinden, R. and S. Deering, "Internet Protocol Version
                 6 (IPv6) Addressing Architecture", RFC 3513, April
                 2003.

  [RFC-3590]     Haberman, B., "Source Address Selection for the
                 Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) Protocol", RFC
                 3590, September 2003.

  [RFC-3596]     Thomson, S., Huitema, C., Ksinant, V., and M. Souissi,
                 "DNS Extensions to Support IP Version 6", RFC 3596,
                 October 2003.

  [RFC-3602]     Frankel, S., Glenn, R., and S. Kelly, "The AES-CBC
                 Cipher Algorithm and Its Use with IPsec", RFC 3602,
                 September 2003.

  [RFC-3775]     Johnson, D., Perkins, C., and J. Arkko, "Mobility
                 Support in IPv6", RFC 3775, June 2004.

  [RFC-3776]     Arkko, J., Devarapalli, V., and F. Dupont, "Using
                 IPsec to Protect Mobile IPv6 Signaling Between Mobile
                 Nodes and Home Agents", RFC 3776, June 2004.

  [RFC-3810]     Vida, R. and L. Costa, "Multicast Listener Discovery
                 Version 2 (MLDv2) for IPv6", RFC 3810, June 2004.

  [RFC-3879]     Huitema, C. and B. Carpenter, "Deprecating Site Local
                 Addresses", RFC 3879, September 2004.

  [RFC-4292]     Haberman, B., "IP Forwarding Table MIB", RFC 4292,
                 April 2006.

  [RFC-4293]     Routhier, S., Ed., "Management Information Base for
                 the Internet Protocol (IP)", RFC 4293, April 2006.



Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 15]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


  [RFC-4301]     Kent, S. and R. Atkinson, "Security Architecture for
                 the Internet Protocol", RFC 4301, December 2005.

  [RFC-4302]     Kent, S., "IP Authentication Header", RFC 4302,
                 December 2005.

  [RFC-4303]     Kent, S., "IP Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP)",
                 RFC 4303, December 2005.

  [RFC-4305]     Eastlake 3rd, D., "Cryptographic Algorithm
                 Implementation Requirements for Encapsulating Security
                 Payload (ESP) and Authentication Header (AH)", RFC
                 4305, December 2005.

12.2.  Informative References

  [DESDIFF]      Biham, E., Shamir, A., "Differential Cryptanalysis of
                 DES-like cryptosystems", Journal of Cryptology Vol 4,
                 Jan 1991.

  [DESCRACK]     Cracking DES, O'Reilly & Associates, Sebastapol, CA
                 2000.

  [DESINT]       Bellovin, S., "An Issue With DES-CBC When Used Without
                 Strong Integrity", Proceedings of the 32nd IETF,
                 Danvers, MA, April 1995.

  [IPv6-RH]      P. Savola, "Security of IPv6 Routing Header and Home
                 Address Options", Work in Progress.

  [RFC-793]      Postel, J., "Transmission Control Protocol", STD 7,
                 RFC 793, September 1981.

  [RFC-1034]     Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - concepts and
                 facilities", STD 13, RFC 1034, November 1987.

  [RFC-2205]     Braden, R., Zhang, L., Berson, S., Herzog, S., and S.
                 Jamin, "Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) --
                 Version 1 Functional Specification", RFC 2205,
                 September 1997.

  [RFC-2464]     Crawford, M., "Transmission of IPv6 Packets over
                 Ethernet Networks", RFC 2464, December 1998.

  [RFC-2492]     Armitage, G., Schulter, P., and M. Jork, "IPv6 over
                 ATM Networks", RFC 2492, January 1999.





Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 16]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


  [RFC-2675]     Borman, D., Deering, S., and R. Hinden, "IPv6
                 Jumbograms", RFC 2675, August 1999.

  [RFC-4213]     Nordmark, E. and R. Gilligan, "Basic Transition
                 Mechanisms for IPv6 Hosts and Routers", RFC 4213,
                 October 2005.

  [RFC-3569]     Bhattacharyya, S., "An Overview of Source-Specific
                 Multicast (SSM)", RFC 3569, July 2003.

  [RFC-3736]     Droms, R., "Stateless Dynamic Host Configuration
                 Protocol (DHCP) Service for IPv6", RFC 3736, April
                 2004.

  [RFC-4001]     Daniele, M., Haberman, B., Routhier, S., and J.
                 Schoenwaelder, "Textual Conventions for Internet
                 Network Addresses", RFC 4001, February 2005.

  [RFC-4033]     Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and
                 S. Rose, "DNS Security Introduction and Requirements",
                 RFC 4033, March 2005.

  [RFC-4034]     Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and
                 S. Rose, "Resource Records for the DNS Security
                 Extensions", RFC 4034, March 2005.

  [RFC-4035]     Arends, R., Austein, R., Larson, M., Massey, D., and
                 S. Rose, "Protocol Modifications for the DNS Security
                 Extensions", RFC 4035, March 2005.

  [RFC-4306]     Kaufman, C., Ed., "Internet Key Exchange (IKEv2)
                 Protocol", RFC 4306, December 2005.

  [SSM-ARCH]     H. Holbrook, B. Cain, "Source-Specific Multicast for
                 IP", Work in Progress.
















Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 17]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


13.  Authors and Acknowledgements

  This document was written by the IPv6 Node Requirements design team:

  Jari Arkko
  [[email protected]]

  Marc Blanchet
  [[email protected]]

  Samita Chakrabarti
  [[email protected]]

  Alain Durand
  [[email protected]]

  Gerard Gastaud
  [[email protected]]

  Jun-ichiro itojun Hagino
  [[email protected]]

  Atsushi Inoue
  [[email protected]]

  Masahiro Ishiyama
  [[email protected]]

  John Loughney
  [[email protected]]

  Rajiv Raghunarayan
  [[email protected]]

  Shoichi Sakane
  [[email protected]]

  Dave Thaler
  [[email protected]]

  Juha Wiljakka
  [[email protected]]

  The authors would like to thank Ran Atkinson, Jim Bound, Brian
  Carpenter, Ralph Droms, Christian Huitema, Adam Machalek, Thomas
  Narten, Juha Ollila, and Pekka Savola for their comments.





Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 18]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


Editor's Contact Information

  Comments or questions regarding this document should be sent to the
  IPv6 Working Group mailing list ([email protected]) or to:

  John Loughney
  Nokia Research Center
  Itamerenkatu 11-13
  00180 Helsinki
  Finland

  Phone: +358 50 483 6242
  EMail: [email protected]






































Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 19]

RFC 4294                 IPv6 Node Requirements               April 2006


Full Copyright Statement

  Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).

  This document is subject to the rights, licenses and restrictions
  contained in BCP 78, and except as set forth therein, the authors
  retain all their rights.

  This document and the information contained herein are provided on an
  "AS IS" basis and THE CONTRIBUTOR, THE ORGANIZATION HE/SHE REPRESENTS
  OR IS SPONSORED BY (IF ANY), THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET
  ENGINEERING TASK FORCE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE
  INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED
  WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Intellectual Property

  The IETF takes no position regarding the validity or scope of any
  Intellectual Property Rights or other rights that might be claimed to
  pertain to the implementation or use of the technology described in
  this document or the extent to which any license under such rights
  might or might not be available; nor does it represent that it has
  made any independent effort to identify any such rights.  Information
  on the procedures with respect to rights in RFC documents can be
  found in BCP 78 and BCP 79.

  Copies of IPR disclosures made to the IETF Secretariat and any
  assurances of licenses to be made available, or the result of an
  attempt made to obtain a general license or permission for the use of
  such proprietary rights by implementers or users of this
  specification can be obtained from the IETF on-line IPR repository at
  http://www.ietf.org/ipr.

  The IETF invites any interested party to bring to its attention any
  copyrights, patents or patent applications, or other proprietary
  rights that may cover technology that may be required to implement
  this standard.  Please address the information to the IETF at
  [email protected].

Acknowledgement

  Funding for the RFC Editor function is provided by the IETF
  Administrative Support Activity (IASA).







Loughney                     Informational                     [Page 20]