Industrial Ethernet Protocols IPv6 enabling approach

Ahmed M. Hassaballa; Abubakr E. M. ElHussein; Ali A. Agoub

Ahmed M. Hassaballa Basic Studies Unit, University of Nyala, Nyala, Sudan, E-mail ahmed_hassaballa2003@yahoo.com
Abubakr E. M. ElHussein Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Elneelain, Khartoum, Sudan, E-mail abubakr.elhussein@neelain.edu.sd
Ali A. Agoub Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Gezira, Wad-medani, Sudan, Email ali_abdelrahman@yahoo.com

Abstract

The current Internet Protocol (IPv4) made Ethernet with TCP/IP find application in industrial automation environment via Industrial Ethernet Protocols. The question "Can things go smooth in Internet Protocol next generation (IPv6)?". This paper answers the question by proposing solutions and proofing via simulation using OPNET Modeler simulator that IPv6 introduction in industrial automation environment introduces very small (negligible) delay relative to IPv4. Measured delays include: global Ethernet delay, IP node end-to-end delay and delay variation for 72, 520 and 1500 bytes transported packet size. Results showed that IPv6 introduces very small delay relative to IPv4, the various delays increase with increased packet size and IPv6 can be used in industrial automation environment.