Softwire (protocol)

In computer networking, a softwire protocol is a category of network-layer tunneling protocols that enable the transparent encapsulation of one Internet protocol (usually IPv4 or IPv6) within another, allowing original packets to traverse network domains that natively support only the carrier protocol. Softwire protocols provide a virtual point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection, emulating the behavior of a dedicated physical wire entirely in software. They have become a fundamental tool in large-scale Internet operations, particularly for the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 in both service provider and enterprise networks.

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