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    Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved IPv6
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    • U
      Ulysses_
      last edited by

      Anyway, I know it's a bad practise and strongly discouraged everywhere, but let's pretend I need the wifi and don't have the $5 to buy nic's, how is NAT done? It is just a line or two of iptables rules in linux for IPv4, can't be too hard in pfsense and IPv6.

      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • JKnottJ
        JKnott @Ulysses_
        last edited by

        @Ulysses_

        I have never set up NAT on IPv6, so no help there. However, other than WiFi, there should be no difference between using the modem in gateway and bridge modes. You'd still connect the LAN side exactly the same way. Do you not have an old router kicking around that you can use as an AP?

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
        UniFi AC-Lite access point

        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

        U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • U
          Ulysses_ @JKnott
          last edited by

          No but I have a wifi usb adapter than probably can act like an ap. Alternatively, how do we do the following in pfsense:

          https://serverfault.com/questions/929044/ip6tables-is-not-masquerading-source-address

          JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • JKnottJ
            JKnott @Ulysses_
            last edited by

            @Ulysses_

            I don't know how well that USB adapter would work. FreeBSD, which pfSense is built on is not that great with WiFi. As for that link, that's about iptables, not ipfilter, which FreeBSD uses.

            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
            UniFi AC-Lite access point

            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

            dotdashD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • U
              Ulysses_
              last edited by Ulysses_

              It boils down to the following rules, is the equivalent functionality available in the web interface somewhere? In a package somewhere? In ipfilter?

              -A PREROUTING -d 2001:470:4a71:f170::/64 -i eth0 -j DNAT --to-destination fdde:ad00:beef:0:91f5:6dd4:e66f:cf5b
              -A POSTROUTING -s fdde:ad00:beef::/64 -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE
              -A POSTROUTING -s fd11:22::/64 -o eth0 -p udp -j MASQUERADE
              -A POSTROUTING -s fd11:22::/64 -o eth0 -p tcp -j MASQUERADE
              -A FORWARD -m conntrack --ctstate ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • dotdashD
                dotdash @JKnott
                last edited by

                @JKnott said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                As for that link, that's about iptables, not ipfilter, which FreeBSD uses.

                It's also not for pf, which pfSense uses.

                OP- I'd expect you could use NPT, which is covered in the Netgate docs.
                What exactly is the reason for needing ipv6? Your setup seems complicated enough, what with the virtualized firewall on the workstation and the double nat.

                JKnottJ U 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • JKnottJ
                  JKnott @dotdash
                  last edited by

                  @dotdash said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                  As for that link, that's about iptables, not ipfilter, which FreeBSD uses.

                  It's also not for pf, which pfSense uses.

                  Sorry my mistake. Either way, it doesn't use iptables. I used to use iptables, when I had a Linux based firewall and ipchains before that. However, I never really got into the rules for iptables, as the firewall configuration in SUSE Linux handled most of my needs.

                  PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                  i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                  UniFi AC-Lite access point

                  I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • U
                    Ulysses_ @dotdash
                    last edited by Ulysses_

                    What exactly is the reason for needing ipv6? Your setup seems complicated enough, what with the virtualized firewall on the workstation and the double nat.

                    So far it is just that a Windows VM that had to be worked with a while ago required access to something by Microsoft that was IPv6-only, but sooner or later there will be more and more instances of such in ordinary use of a browser, so better get this sorted once and for all.

                    Actually it would be nicer if IPv6 was completely missing in all devices except the pfsense VM. And the modem. IPv6 in them is an unnecessary human-unfriendly complexity if STUN is not needed, NAT could be from IPv4 to IPv6 and should be one of the jobs of the pfsense firewall to keep the user's life simpler and a little more private. You'd visit ipv6.google.com and your browser would think it is an IPv4 site.

                    GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • GertjanG
                      Gertjan @Ulysses_
                      last edited by

                      @Ulysses_ said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                      IPv6 in them is an unnecessary human-unfriendly complexity

                      Strange.
                      That was very valid for IPv4, a couple of decades ago.
                      Stuff like NAT was invented, people are still having huge problems with that, just check out this forum alone.

                      Anyway.
                      There are no more IPv4 left. It's done.

                      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                      Edit : and where are the logs ??

                      U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • U
                        Ulysses_ @Gertjan
                        last edited by

                        If IP's have run out it means support for more IP's is needed, it does not mean everyone with a browser needs them.

                        JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • JKnottJ
                          JKnott @dotdash
                          last edited by

                          @dotdash said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                          What exactly is the reason for needing ipv6?

                          That's where the world is heading. There are nowhere near enough IPv4 addresses to meet the need. I recently posted a link to an article that tells about how there are no longer any IPv4 addresses available in Europe & Middle Easy, unless someone sells some surplus. Anyone who thinks we shouldn't be moving to IPv6 is head in sand stupid.

                          PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                          i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                          UniFi AC-Lite access point

                          I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                          dotdashD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • JKnottJ
                            JKnott @Ulysses_
                            last edited by

                            @Ulysses_ said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                            If IP's have run out it means support for more IP's is needed, it does not mean everyone with a browser needs them.

                            No, the world has to move to IPv6 and that means everyone. Otherwise we'll wind up in a situation where some people are on IPv4 and others on IPv6, with some means to translate between them. Sticking with IPv4 means sticking with NAT, STUN servers, trying to stretch IPv4 addresses more and more, with more things breaking. Even Vint Cerf, one of the developers of TCP/IP said 32 bits was only used for proof on concept and the plan was to go with much longer addresses. IPv4 is a dead end and it's long past time to move to IPv6. I've been using it for almost 10 years.

                            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                            UniFi AC-Lite access point

                            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • U
                              Ulysses_
                              last edited by Ulysses_

                              It wouldn't be half the world sticking with IPv4 and NAT or NAT46, it would be guys in particular situations, such as wanting to keep that old wifi up and running while using pfsense as a firewall. If pfsense's job is to act in the middle, NAT or NAT46 or NAT64 or DNS46 or DNS64 are all legitimate pfsense functionalities for particular scenarios. And quoting someone from a link given above:

                              "And for the "IPv6 doesn't need NAT!" brigade - sometimes you DO need it, for example if you want to run Docker containers on AWS. It doesn't support DHCP PD so you're stuck with NAT."

                              JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • JKnottJ
                                JKnott @Ulysses_
                                last edited by

                                @Ulysses_

                                WiFi should be transparent to the protocol. You should be able to run IPv4, IPv6, Appletalk, IPX and DECNet without issue, as WiFi is a layer 2 transport, not layer 3 where IPv4 & 6 are.

                                Why is NAT needed with Docker on AWS? What would you do if NAT wasn't available?

                                PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                                i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                                UniFi AC-Lite access point

                                I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                                GertjanG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • GertjanG
                                  Gertjan @JKnott
                                  last edited by

                                  @JKnott said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                                  WiFi should be transparent to the protocol. You should be able to run IPv4, IPv6, Appletalk, IPX and DECNet without issue, as WiFi is a layer 2 transport, not layer 3 where IPv4 & 6 are

                                  Exact.
                                  My close-to-a-decade-old Wifi AP's transport just fine IPv4 and IPv6 used by iPhone and other devices.

                                  No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
                                  Edit : and where are the logs ??

                                  U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • dotdashD
                                    dotdash @JKnott
                                    last edited by

                                    @JKnott said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                                    That's where the world is heading. There are nowhere near enough IPv4 addresses to meet the need. I recently posted a link to an article that tells about how there are no longer any IPv4 addresses available in Europe & Middle Easy, unless someone sells some surplus. Anyone who thinks we shouldn't be moving to IPv6 is head in sand stupid.

                                    Putting that aside for the moment, I was asking why a home user, running pfSense in a VM, already double natting and unwilling to change that, needs to bother with ipv6. Maybe if he had a firewall that the whole network was using, not just him and his vms, or if it wasn't behind the isp's nat box...

                                    JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • U
                                      Ulysses_ @Gertjan
                                      last edited by

                                      My close-to-a-decade-old Wifi AP's transport just fine IPv4 and IPv6 used by iPhone and other devices.

                                      I think you may have missed the point. The wifi AP here fully supports IPv6. But we are asked to remove the router function from the modem/router which I believe will stop wifi working but I may be wrong, maybe the modem can be used simultaneously by 4 ethernet devices and lots of wifi ones without a router function.

                                      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • JKnottJ
                                        JKnott @dotdash
                                        last edited by

                                        @dotdash said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                                        already double natting and unwilling to change that,

                                        Perhaps we should be asking why they're unwilling to change. NAT is a curse on networks, caused by the inadequate IPv4 address space.

                                        In my own network, I get a single IPv4 address, which I have to NAT to handle all my devices. I have no choice in the matter. On IPv6, I have a block of 4.72236648287 x 10²¹ addresses, so no NAT needed. Every IPv6 capable device gets global unique addresses. This means I can directly access any of those devices from elsewhere, without having to worry about port forwarding, etc..

                                        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                                        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                                        UniFi AC-Lite access point

                                        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • JKnottJ
                                          JKnott @Ulysses_
                                          last edited by

                                          @Ulysses_ said in Need some instructions for getting started with IPv6:

                                          But we are asked to remove the router function from the modem/router

                                          We are here because we use pfSense. Most people running pfSense will put their modem into bridge mode and let pfSense handle everything for routing and firewall. The WiFi is a secondary issue and you're likely better off with a proper AP anyway. It is not IPv6 that's causing this issue, it's your sticking with the modem in gateway mode.

                                          BTW, I live in a condo. If I relied on the modem WiFi, I would have a great signal at one end, but poor at the other. By using a PoE AP, I was able to put it roughly in the middle of my unit and so get a good signal throughout. My AP is high up on the wall in my laundry room. Very often, sticking with the WiFi on the modem results in a poorer signal. Also, the firewall that's built into my modem is crap that's nowhere near as capable as pfSense. So, considering WiFi signal, IPv6 and firewall, I'm far better off with the modem in bridge mode.

                                          PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                                          i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                                          UniFi AC-Lite access point

                                          I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • johnpozJ
                                            johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                            last edited by johnpoz

                                            What jknott is trying to tell you is your not going to get IPv6 to work as it designed when your isp device in front of pfsense is doing nat.. While it might hand out and IPv6 address to pfsense wan... Its not going to be able to do correct delegation of the prefix(es) that would allow pfsense to put an IPv6 prefix on its lan..

                                            So you can either go the hacky way of doing it and do some sort of nat on the ipv6 address pfsense gets on its wan... This can work sure - but is not how ipv6 is meant to be used.

                                            The correct solution would be to use your isp device as bridge.. So it doesn't do nat, and then hopefully pfsense can get a delegated prefix or prefixes that it can use for network on its lan side. But this would depend again on your ISP - many of them do ipv6 all F'd up and only hand out 1 /64 anyway... Its freaking moronic at best ;)

                                            While this will pretty much break the isp devices use as wifi AP... Normally you would want wifi behind pfsense as well, this would be done with either some wifi router being used as just AP, or an actual AP or multiples... I have 3 myself in my little sub 1500 sq ft house ;) Expecting to get "good" wifi from 1 AP located the 1 router is problematic to say the least.. Unless your in some small studio setup or something...

                                            Another work around if you do not want to put your isp device into bridge mode, would be to setup a Hurricane Electric tunnel (FREE BTW) so you could get a /48 and break that up into your /64s to put behind pfsense.

                                            And while jknott doesn't like this point of view - there is also the point well made by Ulysses_ that do you really need IPv6.. It is just plain fact currently that it is not an actual requirement at this time... There is not one actual resource that you would actually need to get to that is not available via IPv4.. So there is no actual "need" for IPv6 for the end user at this time... And to be honest I do not see that changing for many many many years!!! All the devices that were sucking up IPv4 space - ie phones!! are being migrated to IPv6 and then an IPv6 to IPv4 gateway run by the company to allow these IPv6 devices to talk to the IPv4 space..

                                            So my advice is if you do not want to take the time to learn what is required to properly deploy, use, troubleshoot and secure IPv6 - its quite often a better and easier option to just not enable its use on "YOUR" network... Until such time that want to put in the work to do it correctly.

                                            I would love nothing more for a massive push to get everyone on ipv6.. It for sure the future - but that future is not actually now no matter how many people want to believe it is.. I too have been using it for 10 some years... And while I love playing with it, and learning about it, and experimenting with it - just have yet to run into anything be it personal or professional that actually truely requires that it be available to the end user. Now if worked in the say the mobile phone business that might be a different story ;)

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