Scenarios

GRE6 (Generic Routing Encapsulation in IPv6) tunnels are useful in various situations where you need to transmit IPv6 traffic over an IPv4 network or when you need to connect IPv6 networks that do not have native connectivity. Here are some scenarios where you might consider using a GRE6 tunnel:

IPv4 to IPv6 Transition

When you're in the midst of a gradual transition from IPv4 to IPv6, GRE6 tunnels can provide a way to allow communication between IPv6 devices on a network that still primarily operates on IPv4.

IPv6 network isolation

If you have different network segments that run IPv6 but cannot connect directly due to routing limitations or network policies, GRE6 tunnels can create a virtual link to allow communication between these isolated IPv6 networks.

Test and development networks

In test or laboratory environments where experiments are being performed with network configurations, GRE6 tunnels can be useful for connecting virtual networks or isolated development environments.

Connections through the Internet

When a connection needs to be established between two geographically separated locations and one of them only has IPv4 connectivity, a GRE6 tunnel can help transmit IPv6 traffic over the existing IPv4 network.

Temporary IPv6 connectivity

If a network is expected to gain IPv6 connectivity in the future, but does not yet have it, GRE6 tunnels can be a temporary solution to enable IPv6 communication.

Cloud service environments

Some cloud service providers may not provide native IPv6 connectivity in certain regions or services. In this case, GRE6 tunnels can help connect cloud instances that have IPv6 addresses.

It is important to note that while GRE6 tunnels can be useful in certain cases, they can also present challenges such as fragmentation issues and header overhead. Additionally, as IPv6 adoption continues to increase, it is preferable to look for native IPv6 solutions rather than over-relying on tunnels in the long term.

Configuring a GRE6 tunnel

Below are the general steps to configure a GRE6 tunnel:

1. Local End (Exit Tunnel)

Enter the “Interfaces” section and add a new GRE6 tunnel interface: