In addition to the required network infrastructure (routers, cables, hubs, access points etc.) a MIPv6 testbed will require at least 3 separate machines: the Home Agent, the Mobile Node and the Correspondent Node. One could also use PC-based IPv6 routers (using open source systems like Linux and FreeBSD) instead of commercial IPv6 routers. This will certainly give more flexibility with regard to the addition of new IPv6 features and fine-tuning of network parameters (e.g. router advertisement intervals). Another possibility is to use a PC-based router that also offers Home Agent functionality.

The simplest way to simulate handoffs between networks is to unplug the Ethernet (or other media type) cable to which the MN is currently attached and replace it with a cable from the network you wish to move into. Of course, this means that the Ethernet cables pertaining to the different networks should be within easy reach (e.g. within a network room) if quick handoff latencies are desired.

Alternatively, you may wish to employ Wireless LANs to better facilitate roaming between networks (see case studies in Chapter 14). A simple configuration would be to have each network served by its own wireless access point (AP). In this way (assuming the APs are WiFi certified), one can perform handoffs simply by moving between APs without the need to unplug the WLAN network adapter from the Mobile Node.