Description: NAT64 is a network address translation mechanism that allows clients using only IPv6 to communicate with servers that operate exclusively on IPv4. This protocol is essential in the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, as it facilitates interoperability between both types of IP addresses. NAT64 acts as a bridge, allowing applications and services that still rely on IPv4 to be accessible from IPv6 networks. The implementation of NAT64 is based on creating an IPv6 address space that translates to IPv4 addresses, thus allowing data packets to be sent and received seamlessly between the two versions of the protocol. This mechanism is particularly relevant in environments where the adoption of IPv6 is increasing, but many resources and services are still only available on IPv4. NAT64, along with other mechanisms like DNS64, allows IPv6 clients to resolve domain names pointing to IPv4 addresses, facilitating connectivity in a world where both protocols coexist.
History: NAT64 was defined in RFC 6146, published in April 2011 by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). Its development occurred in a context where the scarcity of IPv4 addresses was becoming increasingly evident, driving the need for solutions that allowed the coexistence of IPv4 and IPv6. As more organizations began to adopt IPv6, NAT64 became a crucial tool to facilitate the transition and ensure that existing services on IPv4 remained accessible.
Uses: NAT64 is primarily used in networks that have adopted IPv6 but still need to access resources and services that are only available on IPv4. This is common in businesses and Internet service providers that are in the process of migrating to IPv6. Additionally, NAT64 is useful in virtualization environments where virtual machines with IPv6 addresses need to communicate with servers operating on IPv4 or where different types of networks must interact.
Examples: A practical example of NAT64 is its implementation in a corporate environment where employees use devices that only have IPv6 addresses. Through NAT64, these devices can access applications and services that still operate on IPv4, such as databases or file servers. Another case is the use of NAT64 in Internet service providers that offer IPv6 connectivity to their customers, allowing them to access online content that is still only available on IPv4.
