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Interoperation between IPv4 and IPv6 on a global scale is largely an unsolved problem, and in principle a problem without a proper solution. The 32-bit IPv4 address can simply not express all possible IPv6 hosts. Today, IP plays a double role. It is both a topological locator as well as a host identity. By decoupling the two roles a communication could also span over incompatible locator domains (e.g. IPv4 and IPv6). The Host Identity Protocol (HIP) [W16] uses this decoupling by providing two discrete data structures, one for the host identity and one for the interfaces locator.  By extending HIP to allow differently formatted locators, and with the help of an Identity Router, one could cross past differing locator domains without the individual hosts needing to be configured for any particular domain other than their own.

The goal of this thesis is to investigate possible methods and architectures to allow this kind of locator domain interoperability and to implement a proof of concept gateway. The first part of the thesis consists of the exploration of the problem domain. Collecting the requirements of HIP enabled hosts, and to define a method for the interoperability of two HIP-hosts residing in two differing locator domains (IPv4/IPv6 will be assumed for scope limiting purposes). The output of this part will be a set of requirements, a suggested solution and a rationale for the chosen solution. The second part consists of the design and implementation of the required components for the interoperation. At the time of writing, the foreseen components will be: a parameter to HIP and a gateway, however, this is subject to change depending on the output of part one. The expected output of part two is a design specification, an implementation plan for the components and finally the implementation of the defined components.