Configuring an IPv6 GRE Tunnel
IPv6 Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) provides a mechanism of encapsulating packets of a protocol into packets of another protocol. This allows packets to be transmitted over heterogeneous networks. The channel for transmitting heterogeneous packets is called a tunnel.
Usage Scenario
A single network protocol is used to transmit packets on a backbone network, whereas other protocols are used to transmit packets on non-backbone networks. Because the backbone and non-backbone networks use different protocols, packets cannot be transmitted between the non-backbone networks over the backbone network. IPv6 GRE resolves this issue. IPv6 GRE provides a mechanism of encapsulating packets of a protocol into packets of another protocol.
For an IPv6 GRE tunnel:
- The packet transmission protocol is IPv6.
- Only IPv4 and IPv6 packets can be encapsulated and routed currently.
- Configuring the Interface Bound to GRE
- To enable the source interface or interface with the source IP address of a GRE tunnel to transmit GRE-encapsulated packets, the interface must be bound to GRE.
- Configuring a Tunnel Interface
- After creating a tunnel interface, specify IPv6 GRE as the encapsulation type, set the tunnel source address or source interface, and set the tunnel destination address. In addition, set the tunnel interface network address so that the tunnel can support route.
- Configuring Tunnel Routes
- Routes for a tunnel must be available on both the source and destination devices so that packets encapsulated with GRE can be forwarded correctly.
- Verifying the IPv6 GRE Tunnel Configuration
- After configuring an IPv6 GRE tunnel, you can check the status of the tunnel interface and routing information.