The Everything Feed - All Packet Pushers Pods IPB178: Remembering Fred Baker
Jun 26, 2025
This episode honors Fred Baker, a pivotal figure in the IPv6 community and former Technical Fellow at Cisco. The conversation revisits Fred's insights on the future of IPv6 and the critical role of the IETF. Topics include the evolution of the IETF from a small research group to a key player in internet standardization, challenges in the IPv6 transition faced by enterprises, and the importance of neutral spaces for collaborative tech development. Real-world examples from major companies enrich the discussion on navigating the complexities of modern networking.
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IETF's Early Origins
- The IETF started in 1986 as a group of government-funded researchers before opening to vendors and operators.
- Fred Baker joined in 1989 and witnessed the IETF evolve alongside the Internet's commercial growth.
IETF's Evolution and Neutrality
- The IETF became more effective by shedding non-operational participants and focusing on operators and vendors.
- It remains important as a neutral place for open discussion and collaborative problem solving.
IPv6-Only Networks and Solutions
- IPv6-only networks are increasingly deployed, particularly by mobile providers like T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom.
- Overlay technologies like 464XLAT and Lightweight 4over6 enable IPv4 compatibility within these IPv6-only networks.