The main functionality of the Internet is to provide global connectivity for every node attached to it. In light of the IPv4 address space depletion, large networks are in the process of deploying IPv6. In this paper we perform an extensive analysis of how BGP route propagation affects global reachability of the active IPv6 address space in the context of this unique transition of the Internet infrastructure.We propose and validate a methodology for testing the reachability of an IPv6 address block active in the routing system. Leveraging the global visibility status of the IPv6 prefixes evaluated with the BGP Visibility Scanner, we then use this methodology to verify if the visibility status of the prefix impacts its reachability at the interdomain level. We perform active measurements using the RIPE Atlas platform. We test destinations with different BGP visibility degrees (i.e., limited visibility – LV, high visibility – HV and dark prefixes). We show that the IPv6 LV prefixes (v6LVPs) are generally reachable, mostly due to a less specific HV covering prefix (v6HVP). However, this is not the case of the dark address space, which, by not having a covering v6HVP is largely unreachable.

This publication was published at the Passive and Active Measurements Conference (PAM 2014), 10-11 March 2014, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

About Andra Lutu

In July 2009 I have completed my undergraduated studies at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology. I've received my BSc. in Networks and Software for Telecommunications. During the final year of my studies, I was also a part of the Orange Romania “Top Talents” programme.

In October 2009, I have joined Institute IMDEA Networks as a Research Assistant. Since then, I have been working under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Marcelo Bagnulo. I've graduated from the Interuniversitary Masters programme in Telematics Engineering from University Carlos III of Madrid in September 2010, after defending the Masters Thesis "Game Theory applications to Interdomain Routing". In October 2010, I have also joined the Telematics Engineering Department at University Carlos III of Madrid as a PhD candidate under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Marcelo Bagnulo.

In June-July 2012, I have been a part of the summer internship programme at Internet Initiative Japan – Innovation Institute.

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