RFC 2545 (rfc2545) - Page 1 of 5

Use of BGP-4 Multiprotocol Extensions for IPv6 Inter-Domain Routing

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Network Working Group                                        P. Marques
Request for Comments: 2545                          cisco Systems, Inc.
Category: Standards Track                                     F. Dupont
                                                                  Inria
                                                             March 1999


  Use of BGP-4 Multiprotocol Extensions for IPv6 Inter-Domain Routing

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   BGP-4 Multiprotocol Extensions [BGP-MP] defines the format of two BGP
   attributes (MP_REACH_NLRI and MP_UNREACH_NLRI) that can be used to
   announce and withdraw the announcement of reachability information.
   This document defines how compliant systems should make use of those
   attributes for the purpose of conveying IPv6 routing information.

1. Introduction

   The BGP-4 protocol [BGP-4] in particular, and path vector routing
   protocols in general, are mostly independent of the particular
   Address Family for which the protocol is being used.

   IPv6 falls under the generic category of protocols for which BGP-4 is
   suitable and, unless stated otherwise in this document, the BGP-4
   procedures to apply when using BGP-4 to carry IPv6 reachability
   information are those defined in [BGP-4] and in subsequent documents
   that extend or update the BGP-4 specification.

   In terms of routing information, the most significant difference
   between IPv6 and IPv4 (for which BGP was originally designed) is the
   fact that IPv6 introduces scoped unicast addresses and defines
   particular situations when a particular address scope must be used.
   This document concerns itself essentially with the necessary rules to
   accommodate IPv6 address scope requirements.




Marques & Dupont            Standards Track
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