diff --git a/doc/discovery.md b/doc/discovery.md index e4595c985..ffab725c3 100644 --- a/doc/discovery.md +++ b/doc/discovery.md @@ -43,6 +43,100 @@ admin@fe80::ff:fec0:ffed%tap0's password: admin admin@infix-c0-ff-ee:~$ ``` +### Windows Compatibility + +> [!NOTE] +> **Testing Note (2023-2024):** The information below is based on user testing +> performed on Windows 10 and early Windows 11 builds. This has **not** been +> independently verified with recent Windows versions or through external research. +> +> **We strongly encourage you to:** +> 1. Test IPv6 multicast ping on your current Windows version first +> 2. Report your findings (working/not working, Windows version, build number) +> 3. Share any workarounds you discover +> +> Newer Windows updates may have resolved these issues entirely. + +On some Windows systems (based on 2023-2024 reports), IPv6 multicast ping +(e.g., `ping ff02::1%interface`) has had issues where the Infix device +responds correctly but Windows does not display the response at the command +line. + +While the ping packets are transmitted and the Infix device responds as +expected, Windows firewall or network stack settings may prevent the response +from being visible in the command prompt. The responses can be verified using +network packet capture tools like Wireshark. + +#### Tested Workarounds (Historical) + +The following approaches were tested by users on Windows 10 (2023-2024) but +**reportedly did not** resolve the issue: + +- Enabling network discovery on Public and Domain profiles +- Disabling all network interfaces except the connection to the Infix device +- Changing the network profile from Public to Private +- Enabling network discovery and file sharing for the Public profile + +These limitations appeared to be related to Windows IPv6 implementation and +firewall behavior when handling link-local multicast responses. + +> [!TIP] +> **Try IPv6 ping first!** If you're on a recent Windows 11 update or +> newer Windows 10 build, IPv6 multicast ping may work correctly on your +> system. Test with `ping ff02::1%interface` before assuming it won't work. + +#### Recommended Alternative: Use mDNS + +**If IPv6 multicast ping doesn't work on your Windows system, use mDNS as a +reliable alternative** (described in detail in the [mDNS-SD](#mdns-sd) +section below). Windows 10 (build 1709+) and Windows 11 have native mDNS-SD +support, making this a reliable discovery method: + +```cmd +C:\> ping infix-c0-ff-ee.local +C:\> ping infix.local +C:\> ssh admin@infix-c0-ff-ee.local +``` + +For networks with a single Infix device, the convenient `infix.local` alias +works seamlessly. On networks with multiple devices, use the full hostname +like `infix-c0-ff-ee.local` or the MAC-based name like `switch-c0-ff-ee.local`. + +#### Diagnostic Verification + +> [!TIP] +> If IPv6 multicast ping doesn't show responses at the command line but +> you want to verify that the Infix device is responding, use Wireshark +> or another packet capture tool while running the ping command. This +> shows whether the issue is with Windows display or actual connectivity. +> As shown in the image below, you can see MDNS, LLMNR, and ICMPv6 echo +> (ping) traffic being exchanged even when Windows doesn't display it. + +![Wireshark showing IPv6 ping responses](https://github.com/addiva-elektronik/alder/assets/122900029/c45d7726-448f-4c30-878e-bcf976dff531) + +#### Community Feedback Needed + +> [!WARNING] +> **This information needs verification!** The details above are based on +> user reports from 2023-2024 and have **not** been independently researched +> or verified with recent Windows versions. +> +> **Please help us improve this documentation:** +> - If you're using Windows 10 (specify build) or Windows 11 (specify version) +> - Test `ping -6 ff02::1%` and report if it works or not +> - Share your Windows version: run `winver` or `systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS"` +> - Create an issue or PR to update this section with your findings +> +> Your feedback helps keep this documentation accurate and useful! + +For historical context on Windows IPv6 behavior, see these resources: + +- [Windows doesn't respond to IPv6 multicast ping](https://superuser.com/questions/490092/windows-doesnt-respond-to-ipv6-multicast-ping) +- [Find device IPv6 link-local](https://serverless.industries/2019/05/30/find-device-ipv6-link-local.en.html) +- [IPv6 Ping Scan from Windows](https://samsclass.info/ipv6/proj/proj-PingScan-Win.html) +- [Hacking IPv6 from Windows](https://medium.com/@netscylla/hacking-ipv6-from-windows-ca23a9602ce7) +- [Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR)](https://rakhesh.com/windows/resolving-names-using-link-local-multicast-name-resolution-llmnr/) + ## LLDP