The larger address field of IPv6 solves a number of problems inherent
in IPv4, but the size of the address itself might be a potential problem
for the TCP/IP administrator. As a result, IPv6 has the capability
to automatically assign an address to an interface at initialization
time. In this way, a network can become operational with minimal
action on the part of the TCP/IP administrator. Stateless autoconfiguration
is supported for an OSA-Express QDIO interface in
z/OS® Communications
Server if
no manually configured addresses are defined on the interface. Manual
configuration of the host's local addresses is not required except
for VIPA interfaces. Stateless address autoconfiguration consists
of the following steps:
- During interface startup, the host generates its own
addresses by using a combination of router advertised prefixes and
the interface ID. If the INTFID parameter is configured on the INTERFACE
statement, the value that is configured on the parameter is used as
the interface ID. Otherwise, the host obtains an interface token from
the interface hardware to create an interface ID.
- If temporary addresses are supported on the interface (the TEMPADDRS
parameter is configured on the IPCONFIG6 statement and the TEMPPREFIX
parameter is configured on the INTERFACE statement), a random interface
ID is generated. Temporary addresses are generated using a combination
of router-advertised prefixes and the random interface ID.
- Duplicate address detection is performed for each address. If
a duplicate is not detected or Duplicate Address Detection (DAD) is
disabled for the interface (DUPADDRDET 0 specified on the INTERFACE
statement), the local address is added.
- A stateless autoconfigured address is deleted when its valid lifetime
expires or when a manually defined address is added to the interface.
An IPv6 address generated using stateless address autoconfiguration
has two timers associated with it: A preferred lifetime timer and
a valid lifetime timer. Router advertisements contain the valid lifetime
and preferred lifetime timers for a prefix. Temporary autoconfigured
addresses also have a valid lifetime and preferred lifetime timer
configured on the IPCONFIG6 statement (TEMPADDRS PREFLIFETIME value VALIDLIFETIME value).
The valid and preferred lifetime timers for a temporary autoconfigured
address are the lesser of the values contained in the router advertisement
for the prefix and the value specified on the IPCONFIG6 statement.
The valid and preferred lifetime timers for a public autoconfigured
address are the values that are in the router advertisement for the
prefix.
An IPv6 address goes through two phases to gracefully
handle the address expiration:
- Preferred
- Use is unrestricted.
- Deprecated
- In anticipation of the expiration of the leased period, use of
the address is discouraged.
When the preferred lifetime expires, the address
created from the prefix is deprecated. When the valid lifetime expires,
the address created from the prefix is deleted and an operator message
is issued.