Abstract

The entire world has now run out of available IPv4 addresses. At the same time, the amount of connected devices is on an exponential upwards trend, so there is even a greater need to adopt IPv6. On the other hand, there are still problems with upgrading from IPv4 to IPv6 because of issues related to scalability, compatibility, and performance in heterogeneous network environments. In this paper we propose a Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) integrated future Internet architecture Transition Framework for Scalable IPv6 (SITF). The solution proposes a combination of dual-stack implementation with lightweight tunnelling, advanced address mapping via route compression and adaptive translation protocols. An intelligent policy engine was implemented into SITF which allows dynamic switching between tunnelling, translation or native forwarding based on traffic type and node load. Also programmable SDN controllers that allow flow-based transition control which help reduce congestion while meeting requirements for real-time voice over IP (VoIP), streaming video services, and IoT sensor networks provide tight demand service overruns. With emulated testbeds using Mininet ONOS, virtualized dual stack environments under mixed traffic conditions were evaluated. The following control plane overhead, as well as translation delay between layers of translation processes and the ratio between successful packet deliveries versus losses over time were noted. In comparison with older approaches like NAT64 and DS-Lite, SITF achieved 38% higher throughput, 27% lower latency, and reduced control message exchange by 40% in high-load scenarios. It is scalable across cloud data centers, enterprise backbones and edge environments, supporting millions of endpoints while maintaining performance quality which shifts only slightly from the best to good practice levels. With the application of control-plane intelligence and modern protocols such as Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6), a more useful approach towards the exploitation of IPv6 for future networks is possible, enabling next-generation network capabilities. This effort helps refine an adaptive transitional framework with programmable shift controls that would allow the current infrastructure of the Internet to evolve into an ecosystem fully operated on IPv6.The last two decades have seen rapid advancements in networking technologies owing to innovations in Software Defined Networking alongside Network Functions Virtualization.