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Project ID:

ITCS02310 (Virtual Mode)

Leveraging generative AI and Ansible automation to excel IPv6 adoption

Project Title:

Category:

Information Technology/ Computer Science

Inventors:

Elbo Shindi Pangestu, Mukhammad Andri Setiawan

Institution/Company:

Universitas Islam Indonesia

Invention Description/ Abstract:

The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is a critical step in addressing the limitations of IPv4, particularly the exhaustion of available IP addresses. While IPv6 offers an expanded address space and improved functionality, its adoption has been hindered by the complexity of configuring IPv6 addresses. Unlike the simpler four-part numeric structure of IPv4 addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1), IPv6 addresses consist of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334), increasing complexity. This increased complexity places a greater cognitive burden on network administrators, especially during tasks like renumbering static IP addresses and manually configuring network devices.

For organizations adopting IPv6, the dual-stack strategy—where IPv4 and IPv6 run concurrently—provides a more gradual migration path. This approach allows networks to continue using IPv4 while simultaneously deploying IPv6. However, even with the dual-stack model, the manual renumbering of IPv6 addresses remains challenging, often leading to time-consuming processes, configuration errors, and potential operational risks, particularly in environments that require static configurations across numerous devices.

To overcome these challenges, this research explores the application of generative AI to automate the transformation of IPv4 configurations into their IPv6 equivalents. This approach enables smoother transitions within a dual-stack environment. Additionally, Ansible automation is introduced to handle the renumbering of static IPv6 addresses, aiming to minimize manual intervention and reduce the likelihood of errors. Automating these critical components of the migration process not only alleviates the cognitive load on network administrators but also contributes to a more efficient and reliable IPv6 deployment.

Invention Technical Description

This invention is a web-based application designed to automate the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 within dual-stack network environments. It addresses the complexities and cognitive burdens associated with IPv6 adoption by leveraging generative AI and Ansible automation to streamline configuration processes.

The system utilizes the generative AI model to automatically convert existing IPv4 network configurations into their IPv6 equivalents. Network engineers can upload their IPv4 configurations into the application, which then processes them to generate accurate IPv6 configurations. The application allows users to define specific parameters for the conversion, such as IPv6 addressing schemes and prefixes, ensuring that the generated configurations align with organizational policies and network architectures.

The application features an integrated pipeline that connects the web-based platform to an Ansible server, functioning similarly to CI/CD workflows found in platforms like GitLab or GitHub. This pipeline automates the deployment process by triggering playbook execution upon generation, securely pushing configurations to network devices without manual intervention.

To assist network engineers in managing configurations, the system includes a Playbook Repository with a user-friendly interface for Ansible YAML playbooks. Engineers can create, edit, and version-control playbooks, facilitating collaboration and maintaining consistency across network configurations. Additionally, an Inventory Repository UI allows for the management of Ansible YAML inventories, enabling engineers to manage hosts, groups, variables and integrate inventories with playbooks seamlessly.

By automating the conversion and deployment processes and providing robust management tools, this invention significantly reduces manual workload, minimizes configuration errors, and accelerates the IPv4 to IPv6 migration. It empowers network engineers with efficient, customizable, and collaborative tools to manage network configurations effectively, facilitating a more reliable and streamlined adoption of IPv6.

Demostration/ Presentation Video

Poster/ Broucher/ Invention Photo

Video Link

Poster Link

Additional Documents

> Additional Technical Document
> Additional Photo of the Invention
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