USGv6 & IPv6 Ready Logo Testing FAQ

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the the USGv6 test program & IPv6 Ready Logo. If you still have questions, please Contact Us today. 

What is the difference between USGv6 and IPv6 Ready Logo?

USGv6 and IPv6 Ready Logo are two independent IPv6 test programs. They do have a lot of similarities and share test specifications, however, the requirements of the two test programs do differ (see additional questions below). 

The USGv6 test program is developed by NIST to aid the US Government acquisition of IPv6-enabled networked information technology​ products. ​The IPv6 Ready Logo program is an international testing program intended to increase user confidence by demonstrating that IPv6 is currently available for today's deployment and use.

Can a product be “USGv6 Certified”?

The concept of “USGv6 Certified” does not exist. There are a number of IPv6 capabilities that can be tested at a USGv6 test lab or can be self-declared if no lab test program exists. The IPv6 capabilities the product supports will be documented through your SDOC. 

For an available list of lab-testable capabilities, please refer to the NIST program website.

How can I get my product tested for IPv6 at the UNH-IOL?

For testing, an annual membership is offered that allows for testing for several IPv6 test programs including USGv6 and IPv6 Ready Logo. Members are able to schedule multiple test slots throughout the year. These slots can be used to test the same product multiple times or multiple unique devices. 

Pay-per-test options are also available and give access to a single test run. 

What are the costs associated with getting tested? 

Please contact ip@iol.unh.edu for a quote. 

What are the required test cases for USGv6?

The required test cases for USGv6 are documented in the Test Selection Tables found on the NIST program website

What are the required test cases for IPv6 Ready Logo Core?

All test cases are required. However, there are test cases that are deemed “advanced functionality” and may be omitted if the product does not support the given functionality. 

Please refer to the Advanced Functionality Tests documented in the test specification.  

What is an SDOC?

Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity or SDOC is a document only applicable to the USGv6 test program. It documents the IPv6 capabilities a product has claimed support for. 

Can I self-test for the IPv6 Ready Logo test program? 

No. Testing for the IPv6 Ready Logo must be completed in an IPv6-only environment. This is defined as IPv4 will not be provisioned or available to the device under test. To ensure testing is done properly in this environment the Logo Committee requires that all IPv6 Ready Logo testing be done in an IPv6 Ready Logo lab.

Can I self-test for the USGv6 test program? 

Any IPv6 capability with a lab test program must be performed in a USGv6 Accredited Test Lab. USGv6 Accredited Test Labs are required to be ISO 17025 accredited. 

Do I need to test all products that are apart of the same series?

If all the products have an identical IPv6 stack, only one product needs to be tested. 

For USGv6, there is a section on the SDOC to list applicable series hardware and software. 

For IPv6 Ready Logo, multiple product names may be listed. 

What are the different types of testing (Conformance, Interoperability and Functional)?

Conformance: Testing focused on compliance to RFCs and the underlying IPv6 stack of the product. The testing is conducted between the product under test and a test system (IOL INTACT). 

Interoperability: Testing focused on ensuring Interoperability between multiple IPv6 implementations. The testing is conducted between the product under test and other real world devices. 

Functional: Behavioral testing that verifies that a product is functional in a specific operational environment (primarily an IPv6-Only network). 

What is being tested during my test slot?

For USGv6, to claim a capability both Conformance and Interoperability needs to be executed. For IPv6 Ready Logo, both Core Conformance and Interoperability test suites need to be executed in order to be eligible. 

USGv6 also has the concept of Functional testing. Functional IPv6 capabilities (i.e. IPv6-Only) are standalone. For example, to claim the IPv6-Only capability functional testing is the only type of testing that applies. 

All IPv6 test specifications are listed on our website.

Can I pre-test for my test slot? 

Pre-testing is recommended and often makes the testing process faster. We offer software, IOL INTACT®, that enables the running of the Conformance side of the testing in-house before sending a product to the IOL for official testing. IOL INTACT® is the same software used during official testing. 

Pre-testing is intended to help you prepare for your test slot and give you high confidence about the results. Having fully passing pre-test results does not guarantee fully passing results during your official lab test slot. Manual verification of some test cases is performed during in-lab testing.

USGv6 and IPv6 Ready Logo test programs also require interoperability testing which is run during your official test slot.

Please see IOL INTACT software page for more details.  

How many test slots can be scheduled with a membership? 

Each membership allows for scheduling 1 upcoming test slot. Scheduling a subsequent test slot becomes available on the Monday following a scheduled test slot. The schedule is first-come first-serve and therefore there is no guarantee of when a test slot will be available.

Example: A test slot is scheduled for the week of 4/10/2023. On the following Monday (4/17/2023), the schedule will become available to book a subsequent test slot. 

What needs to be provided prior to a test slot?

The product being  tested must be provided to the IOL no less than two weeks in advance of the test slot. Physical products will need to be shipped to the IOL. Virtual machines can also be accommodated. If the product has been pre-tested, any configuration information pertaining to specific test cases is also helpful and appreciated.

If a test case is failing, can hotfixes or new firmware be provided during a test slot? Can only the failing test cases be rerun? 

No, all testing must be run on the same version of firmware for all IPv6 test programs. Once a test slot has started, firmware cannot be updated. A new test slot will need to be scheduled and a full run of testing with the new firmware is required. 

A new product has been released that uses an identical IPv6 stack as a product that has already been tested. How do I get it added to the USGv6 registry? 

Please email ip@iol.unh.edu to request any USGv6 registry updates. 

Can updates be made to an already approved IPv6 Ready Logo?

Yes. To update the information on an approved product (e.g., version no.), please send the following information to v6appli@ipv6ready.org. For security reasons, an email will be sent to the original contact person as stated on the original application. The information will be updated once confirmed.

  • Vendor name
  • Product name
  • Newest product information that you want to change
  • Logo ID