Configuring DHCP for IPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration is crucial for managing IP addresses and other network configuration settings in an IPv6 environment. This guide will help you configure DHCP for IPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration on a Cisco router, ensuring seamless network management and optimal device connectivity.
Understanding DHCPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration
Unlike Stateless Address Auto-Configuration (SLAAC), DHCPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration provides more control over the assignment of IP addresses and other configuration settings. It involves a DHCP server maintaining a database of leased addresses and configuration information, ensuring no address conflicts and allowing for more detailed network management.
Prerequisites
Ensure IPv6 routing is enabled on your Cisco router.
Have an IPv6 network prefix and DNS server address ready.
Ensure the DHCP relay agent is properly configured if clients are on different networks.
Step-by-Step Configuration
1. Enable IPv6 Unicast Routing
First, enable IPv6 unicast routing to ensure the router can handle IPv6 traffic.
R1(config)# ipv6 unicast routing
2. Create a DHCPv6 Pool
Create a DHCPv6 pool to define the addresses and DNS information that will be provided to clients.
R1(config)# ipv6 dhcp pool LAN-10-STATEFUL
R1(dhcpv6-config)# address prefix 2001:D7B:CAFÉ:10::/64 lifetime infinite infinite
R1(dhcpv6-config)# dns-server 2001:345:ACAD:F::5
R1(dhcpv6-config)# domain-name sayedtech.com
Here:
LAN-10-STATEFUL is the name of the DHCPv6 pool.
2001:D7B:CAFÉ:10::/64 is the prefix used for the pool with an infinite lifetime.
2001:345:ACAD:F::5 is the IPv6 address of the DNS server.
sayedtech.com is an optional domain name.
3. Configure the Interface with IPv6 Address and DHCP
Configure the interface that will be used to connect to the IPv6 network.
R1(config)# interface g1/1
R1(config-if)# ipv6 address 2001:D7B:CAFE:10::1/64
R1(config-if)# ipv6 dhcp server LAN-10-STATEFUL
R1(config-if)# ipv6 nd managed-config-flag
In this configuration:
g1/1 is the interface being configured.
2001:D7B:CAFE:10::1/64 is the IPv6 address assigned to the interface.
LAN-10-STATEFUL is the DHCPv6 pool used for configuration information.
The ipv6 nd managed-config-flag command informs clients to use DHCPv6 for address configuration.
4. Configure DHCP Relay (if needed)
If the DHCP clients are on a different network, configure a DHCP relay to forward DHCP requests to the DHCP server.
R-3(config)# interface fastethernet 0/1
R-3(config-if)# ip dhcp relay destination 2001:A123:7CA1::15
Here:
fastethernet 0/1 is the interface connected to the network with DHCP clients.
2001:A123:7CA1::15 is the IPv6 address of the DHCP server.
Verifying Configuration
Verify the configuration to ensure everything is working as expected.
R1# show ipv6 dhcp pool
R1# show ipv6 dhcp binding
show ipv6 dhcp pool displays information about the DHCPv6 pool.
show ipv6 dhcp binding shows the bindings of IPv6 addresses to client interfaces.
Additional Features
To further customize your DHCPv6 setup, consider the following additional configurations:
Prefix Delegation: If you need to delegate prefixes to downstream routers:
R1(dhcpv6-config)# prefix-delegation pool LAN-10-STATEFUL lifetime 300 600
Lease Time Adjustment: Modify the lease time of the addresses:
R1(dhcpv6-config)# address prefix 2001:D7B:CAFÉ:10::/64 lifetime 600 1200
Configuring DHCP for IPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration on a Cisco router provides robust control over IP address management and network configuration. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a seamless and efficient network setup, with centralized control over IP address allocation and other critical network settings.
For more detailed information on each command and additional configuration options, refer to the official Cisco documentation or consult with your network administrator.
By optimizing your network setup with DHCPv6 Stateful Address Auto-Configuration, you enhance your network's reliability, manageability, and scalability, ensuring smooth operation and connectivity for all your devices.
