Methods for configuring a dual stack environment with IPv6 as the preferred address family

Updated: April 24, 2026

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Guides configuration of dual stack environments with IPv6 preference, providing instructions for device setup via configuration groups, Quick Connect workflows, CLI commands, and templates for SD-WAN Manager and Controller platforms.

These are methods of configuring devices and SD-WAN Control Components for IPv6 connections.

Configuring devices for IPv6 connectivity

Configuring SD-WAN Control Components for IPv6 connectivity

Configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for devices, using a configuration group

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for Cisco IOS XE Catalyst SD-WAN devices in a dual stack environment, using a configuration group.

Procedure

From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Configuration > Configuration Groups.
Click Configuration Groups.
Create a new configuration group or open an existing one to display the full details of the configuration group.
In the Deployment area, view the devices associated with the configuration group. You can add devices if desired.
Click Deploy to deploy the configuration to the associated devices.
In Process Overview, click Next.
On the Selected Devices to Deploy page, select or deselect devices and click Next.
For Dual Stack IPv6 Default, select True to set IPv6 as the default connection type, and click Next.
Here's how Dual Stack IPv6 Default affects control connections and BFD sessions:
- True: Devices establish an IPv6 control connection with SD-WAN Manager and the SD-WAN Controller they are connected to. BFD sessions use IPv6.
- False: Devices establish an IPv4 control connection with SD-WAN Manager and the SD-WAN Controller they are connected to. BFD sessions use IPv4.
The connections from devices to SD-WAN Validator are always dual (IPv4 and IPv6) in a dual IP stack environment, regardless of howDual Stack IPv6 Default is configured.
On the summary page, click Deploy.

What to do next

For more information on using configuration groups, see Configuration Groups and Feature Profiles.

Configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for devices, using the Quick Connect workflow

For information about the workflow, see Quick Connect Workflow.

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for Cisco IOS XE Catalyst SD-WAN devices in a dual stack environment, using the Quick Connect workflow.

Procedure

From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Workflows > Quick Connect.
On the Process Overview page, click Next.
Select an option to sync your devices, and click Next.
On the Selected devices to bring up page, select devices, and click Next.
In the Dual Stack IPv6 Default drop-down list, select True to set IPv6 as a default connection. Click Apply, and then click Next.
Here's how Dual Stack IPv6 Default affects control connections and BFD sessions:
- True: Devices establish an IPv6 control connection with SD-WAN Manager and the SD-WAN Controller they are connected to. BFD sessions use IPv6.
- False: Devices establish an IPv4 control connection with SD-WAN Manager and the SD-WAN Controller they are connected to. BFD sessions use IPv4.
The connections from devices to SD-WAN Validator are always dual (IPv4 and IPv6) in a dual IP stack environment, regardless of howDual Stack IPv6 Default is configured.
On the Summary page, click Deploy.

Configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for devices, using CLI commands

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for Cisco IOS XE Catalyst SD-WAN devices in a dual stack environment, using CLI commands.

Procedure

Create a CLI add-on profile or CLI add-on template.

Enable IPv6 on the tunnel interface.

interface  tunnel1 
no  shutdown 
ipv6  enable

Enable IPv6.
```
system 
ipv6-strict-control true 
```

This example configures IPv6 as the preferred address family for devices.

interface Tunnel1
 no shutdown
 ip unnumbered GigabitEthernet1
 tunnel source GigabitEthernet1
 tunnel mode sdwan
 ipv6 enable
exit

system
gps-location latitude 32.0
gps-location longitude -100.0
system-ip 10.16.255.14
domain-id 1
site-id 400
ipv6-strict-control true   
admin-tech-on-failure
organization-name "Cisco"
vbond vbond

Configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller, using CLI commands

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller in a dual stack environment, using CLI commands.

Procedure

Create a CLI add-on profile or CLI add-on template.
Enable IPv6.
```
system 
ipv6-strict-control true 
```

This example configures IPv6 as the preferred address family for SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controllers.

system
host-name vm9
system-ip 10.16.255.19
site-id 400
ipv6-strict-control true 
port-offset 9
no daemon-restart
admin-tech-on-failure
no vrrp-advt-with-phymac
organization-name "Cisco"
vbond vbond

Configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller, using templates

Before you begin

Follow these steps to configure IPv6 as the preferred address family for SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller in a dual stack environment, using templates.

Procedure

From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Configuration > Templates.
Click Feature Templates, and click Add Template.
In the list of devices, select Controller.
Select System from the list of templates.
In the Basic Information section, for the Dual Stack IPv6 Default field, click On to enable.
This sets IPv6 as a default connection.

Here's how Dual Stack IPv6 Default affects connections:
- On: SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controllers establish an IPv6 control connection with other SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller instances.
- Off: SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controllers establish IPv4 control connections.
The connections from SD-WAN Manager and SD-WAN Controller instances to SD-WAN Validator are always dual (IPv4 and IPv6) in a dual IP stack environment, regardless of howDual Stack IPv6 Default is configured.
Click Save.

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