IP Addressing with References (IPREF)

IP addressing with references, or IPREF for short, is a method for end-to-end communication across different address spaces normally not reachable through native means. IPREF uses references to addresses instead of real addresses. It allows to reach across NAT/NAT6 and across protocols IPv4/IPv6. It is a pure layer 3 addressing feature that works with existing network protocols. IPREF forms addresses (IPREF addresses) made of context addresses and references. These IPREF addresses are publishable in Domain Name System (DNS). Any host in any address space, including behind NAT/ NAT6 or employing different protocol IPv4/IPv6, may publish IPREF addresses of its services in DNS. These services will be reachable from any address space, including those running different protocol IPv4/IPv6 or behind NAT/NAT6, provided both ends support IPREF. IPREF provides much needed IPv4/IPv6 compatibility for the de facto mixed protocol Internet.