Brian Henehan
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
University of Arkansas — Fort Smith
5210 Grand Avenue P.O. Box 3649
Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649
Phone: (479)788-7722
Email: Brian.Henehan@uafs.edu
Supplementary information (Word DOCX file)
In early 2011, the IANA (Internet Assigned Number Authority) gave out the last Internet Protocol version 4 address blocks to the 5 Regional Internet Registries that service our globe. As a result, our students need to be aware of and prepared to operate in an environment that is transitioning to IPv6. This assignment seeks to get students to develop functional IPv6 operations within an existing IPv4 environment. It is appropriate for students who have had a networking fundamentals course, some experience configuring network intermediary devices (hardware and/or software routers) and are on a networking administration track to a Bachelors Degree. We utilize it as a hands-on activity in a Network Analysis and Design course after lecturing and demonstrating IPv6 concepts and applications. Additional material for this lab can be found at http://www.ccsc-ms.org/nifty/13/hen/.
After completing IPv6 course material, students are broken into teams (the number of teams is dependent on the amount of IPv6 “capable” hardware available). Each team is provided: 3 Personal Computers, 1 IPv6 “capable” switch, 1 Cisco IPv6 “capable” router, 1 Public Internet Protocol version 4 address and a listing of IPv6 Tunnel Brokers(ISPs). The assignment challenges each team to create an IPv6-only network with the PCs and Switch which accesses the IPv6 Internet via a Tunnel set up with an ISP tunnel broker using the Public IPv4 address and Cisco router. Depending on how many challenges you want the students to resolve, this may be a single or multi-week assignment.
The assignment expects students to apply knowledge and skills they have (networking and IPv4 skills) to solve a routine issue they will face in the IT workplace: how to extend their existing technical knowledge into areas of evolving technology which they have no direct experience using. Students grapple with and research the “unknowns” of IPv6 and learn the benefits of proceeding from the lower risk activities (IPv6 on PCs and switches) to the higher risk activities (contacting the ISP tunnel providers and constructing the tunnel). Students learn about the differences between what vendors claim and the reality of using vendor products. They also learn about dealing with other IT organizations including the campus IT staff to ensure appropriate ports are enabled and also the tunnel provider ISPs to set up a tunnel. Students gain beneficial experience as well as a valuable story for future job interviews.