Dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode

In the dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode of operation, the PDN router interface is not configured with an IPv6 address using the config>router>interface interface-name pdn>ipv6>address command. Instead, the IP address and subnet is learned by the PDN router interface each time the cellular interface attaches to the network. The IP address can change with each attachment. This mode of operation is useful in applications where using a dynamic address pool simplifies the management and deployment of large numbers of nodes.

Upon PDN attachment, the system dynamically allocates an IPv6 address that exists within the subnet of the IPv6 address assigned by the network during the cellular attachment. The PDN router interface remains fixed to that address until the cellular port goes down and another cellular attachment is performed.

In this mode, the PDN router interface is operationally up when the system verifies that the IP address and subnet assigned to the interface does not conflict with any other IP address and subnet configured on the system. If there is a conflict, the PDN router interface is kept down.

The CLI output below shows an example of a PDN router interface configured for dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode.

*A:DUT# config# router
          interface "pdn1-sim1" pdn
             port 1/1/1
             ipv6
             exit
             no shutdown
         exit
     exit
 exit

When using dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode, the following points apply.

  • GRE-MPLS based services are not supported as those packets use IPv4 addresses.

  • IPSec secure interfaces are supported.

  • Some wireless service providers require that all packets entering their network from UE attached to their network have a source IP address that is within the subnet -assigned IPv6 address and the subnet assigned to the UE during the cellular network attachment. When this is a requirement, dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode should not be used; instead, static cellular interface IPv6 mode should be used. When dynamic cellular interface IPv6 mode is used there is no way to ensure that all packets will meet the source IP address requirement as the node cannot filter a dynamically changing source IP address.

  • The system IP address used by the NSP NFM-P to manage the node is a private IPv4 address. An in-band management VPRN service is required for the NSP NFM-P to reach the node.