IPv6 over IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) Networks: Facts and Challenges

Deploying the new generation ”Internet Protocol” (IPv6) over 802.16-based wireless networks is facing an important challenge as the IEEE 802.16 standard is failing to support IPv6 functionalities. In fact, unlike the other 802 standards, the IEEE 802.16 is based on a point-tomultipoint (PMP) communication model, where no direct connection (at the MAC layer) is possible between two stations, all communications pass through the Base Station. As a result, the 802.16 standard is unable to handle any form of IP multicast (group) communication, and hence it can not sustain the new functionality of IPv6, namely autoconfiguration mechanism, which particularly relies on IP multicast communication. In this paper, we present different architectures to consider when deploying IPv6 over wireless broadband network, such as WiMAX. Also, we point out challenges and solutions related to this deployment, by focusing particularly on solutions proposed by the 16ng IETF group, which aims to establish an Internet RFC on deploying IPv6 over IEEE 802.16.