Editorial

IPv6 and Why Email Didn't Work Anymore

Published on:

February 22, 2013

snom ONE has supported IPv6 since the early days of PBXnsip, and while we're still waiting for service providers to fully embrace IPv6, there are more practical issues to address. One of the challenges is the handling of DNS records for IPv4 and IPv6 (A and AAAA). As more services add AAAA records, the problem arises when clients without IPv6 connectivity still receive those records, which leads to connection issues. A recent example was Gmail, where the snom ONE email client stopped working. The solution was to prioritize IPv4 records first, though this workaround isn't a permanent fix, as IPv4 will eventually become obsolete.

So everything we buy these days should be ready for IPv6. Even in the old pbxsnip days, snom ONE supported IPv6. Nothing new here.

While we are all waiting for the happy day when our service providers finally give out publicly routable prefixes so all out phones in the LAN don’t need NAT any more, we need to deal with some more down-to-earth problems. One of the problems is DNS uses records for IPv4 and some others for IPv6 (A and AAAA).

While practically all services in the net offer IPv4 DNS addresses, there are more and more providers who also add AAAA records. The problem is a DNS server operates independently from the underlying internet version. In other words, you get AAAA records even when the DNS server is running on IPv4. The practical problem is a client is running in the LAN without any IPv6 connectivity to the outside world also gets those AAAA records; when it then tries to connect to the service, it eventually times.

That is exactly what happened with Gmail. Google added IPv6 records for the Gmail service some time ago, and suddenly the snom ONE email client didn't work anymore if your PBX didn't have IPv6 connectivity.

The way we fixed the problem is the PBX now looks at the IPv4 records first. I didn't say "solve the problem” because this isn't a proper solution. The day IPv4 will become unavailable to the PBX, this fix won't work anymore. I guess we have a few more years to properly solve that problem. For now we can live with the workaround, and hopefully snom ONE users will not notice anything.

Derniers articles

Voir tous

How the Hospitality Industry Can Exceed Guest Expectations

As hotels prepare for the upcoming travel season, many are rethinking their communication systems to better meet modern guest expectations. Vodia CEO Dr. Christian Stredicke explains how VoIP, AI, and app-based control are key to delivering smarter, more personalized service. Guests now expect mobile-first experiences—whether for check-in, room controls, or contacting hotel staff. Vodia’s customizable communication solutions help hotels automate tasks, streamline operations, and boost guest comfort while reducing costs. With robust security and seamless integration into existing hotel management systems, Vodia enables hotels to move beyond outdated hardware and deliver the connected, high-quality experience today’s travelers demand.

April 23, 2025

Seatrade Cruise Global 2025: Communications Revolution Onboard - What Cruise Experts Need to Know

At Seatrade’s 40th anniversary, Vodia and Lufthansa Industry Solutions showcased the Vodia Maritime Communication Server and the new CruisR World App—purpose-built for next-generation cruise ships and cost-effective retrofits. Key themes at the event included AI-powered language translation, breakthrough satellite connectivity, UC platforms, and advanced emergency protocols. These innovations enable cruise lines to streamline operations, personalize guest experiences, and meet growing expectations for safety and connectivity. As the cruise industry evolves, Vodia’s solutions position communication teams to lead with smarter, more human-centric technology at sea.

April 23, 2025

Christian Stredicke Discusses the Future of AI in Business Communications on the Technology Reseller News Podcast

Vodia CEO Christian Stredicke recently joined Technology Reseller News to discuss how AI is reshaping business communications. With the release of Vodia PBX version 69.5.6, features like real-time OpenAI integration and call transcription via Whisper are setting the stage for voice-driven interactions—replacing complex phone menus with simple spoken commands. Christian emphasized Vodia’s goal of using AI to improve productivity and customer experience, while recognizing the importance of tailoring AI applications to specific industries. He likened today’s AI shift to the early days of the web, where expert guidance is key to successful adoption.

April 3, 2025