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Author Topic: IPv6 Implementation  (Read 241 times)

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Offline couttsj

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IPv6 Implementation
« on: November 15, 2009, 04:09:03 PM »
Most of us are aware that we are running out of IPv4 addresses, and that eventually we will have to migrate to IPv6. For those that aren't, IPv6 supports 128 bit IP addresses versus the present 32 bit. The plan in the first stage is to create IPv6 islands with gateways that support dual stacks (32 bit & 128 bit). In the second stage, tunneling techniques would be used to embed v6 addresses in v4 packets and visa versa. The final stage would be complete implementation of IPv6.

This all sounds quite simple, but this is to be a massive change with all kinds of complications, and I would like to prepare myself. So far, the only solid schedule I can find is the price schedule by ARIN for IPv6 addresses. It starts with heavily discounted (75%) prices in 2008, declining to 0% discounts in 2012. Some Asian countries have already legislated targets (eg. China & Japan), and Australia has targeted the end of 2012 for full implementation. North America seems to be quite elusive as far as a solid target is concerned.

Does anyone have any further information on the implementation schedule?

J.A. Coutts
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Offline couttsj

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Re: IPv6 Implementation
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2009, 04:39:35 PM »
For those that are interested, Wikipedia has a decent write-up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6
In summary, the implementation of IPv6 constitutes about 1% of the total at this point in time. The take-up has been mitigated largely due the use of private networks and NAT. Current estimates of lack of IPv4 address availability start at 2011, but the consensus is that they will run out by the end of 2012. The reason for the wide range is that some commercial enterprises have been hoarding IP addresses, and how much of those they are willing to give up is an unknown.

The bottom line is that it is not that far off considering the number of problems that still have to be resolved. What does it mean to the private individual user? Migration at the commercial level will proceed with appropriate planning and surprises. Most NAT routers do not support IPv6, and the price and memory levels make it unlikely that upgrade software will be made available. Support for legacy IPv4 systems will probably exist for at least a decade. Therefore, I predict a good market for IPv4/IPv6 gateways. They would basically allow an organization to maintain an IPv4 network working through a NAT style gateway.

J.A. Coutts
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