SRv6 (Segment Routing over IPv6)

SRv6 (RFC 8986) is the IPv6 data plane of Segment Routing where each segment is a 128-bit IPv6 address (SID) carried in the Segment Routing Header (SRH). It unifies underlay and overlay, enables per-slice transport in 5G and integrates service functions via SRv6 uSID and Network Programming. Adopted by operators for 5G N3/N9 transport and inter-domain slicing.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsProtocols and Standards

SRv6 in context

The radio access network is where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations and downgrade attacks; defenses rest on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

To place SRv6 in the wider telecom-security picture, review Segment Routing, EAP, HTTPS, MPLS, SSH and 6G: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • GTP Security GTP-C/GTP-U threats across S5/S8, N3/N9 and GRX/IPX borders under GSMA FS.20.
  • 5G Security 5G SBA, SEPP, SUCI, 5G-AKA, N32 and service-based interface security.
  • 5G NEF Security Network Exposure Function security in the 5G core.
  • 5G Penetration Testing Pentesting the 5G core, SBA, SEPP, and gNB interfaces.

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