Don't pick weird subnets for embedded networks, use VRFs
3 days ago
- #IPv6
- #embedded-systems
- #networking
- An embedded network is a solution for portable equipment like video racks that need consistent internal communication without reconfiguring IP addresses when moving between venues.
- Using a small router with NAT allows for a consistent subnet inside the rack, but conflicts arise if the venue's network uses the same subnet (e.g., 10.0.0.0/24).
- IPv6 offers a solution with link-local addresses (fe80::) and network discovery protocols, but many embedded devices lack IPv6 support.
- APIPA (169.254.0.0/16) is the IPv4 equivalent of link-local addresses but lacks gateway support, making internet connectivity impossible.
- VRFs (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) provide a generic solution by isolating routing tables for internal and external networks, allowing the same subnet on both sides without conflicts.
- A Mikrotik router can be configured with VRFs to manage traffic between the internal rack network and the venue network, ensuring internet connectivity while preventing conflicts.
- This setup is useful for portable live production gear, industrial monitoring, and legacy devices with fixed IP addresses.