RSSWith the exhaustion of IPv4, organizations will soon have to migrate to IPv6. While there isn't a hard deadline like with Y2K, the longer IT puts off IPv6 migration, the more difficult connecting to Internet and partner resources will become. IPv6 isn't rocket science, but there are a number of decisions that IT will have to make before and during the migration. In this tech center, we will dig into the architectural issues that IT will need to address from designing the IP layout through to migrating to supporting services like DHCP and DNS.
News and Analysis
IPv6: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
IPv6 is coming, and we've reported in this series some of the issues network operators have to deal with in the near future. Two issues that require more than just checking boxes on a to-do list concern compliance and security. However, making sure the IPv6 network is as compliant and secure as the existing IPv4 network can be accomplished with the proper planning.
Deploying Dual-Stack IPv4 and IPv6 Networks
Doing an IPv6 implementation project does not involve tearing down an aging IPv4 network and replacing it with a new IPv6-enabled network. Instead, the IPv4 and IPv6 networks will run in parallel in what the industry calls a "dual-stack" network. But IPv4 and IPv6 are so significantly different in design that network management tools designed for an IPv4 network may not work the same in an IPv6 environment.
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Blogs
The Fear And Loathing Of /64s On Point-To-Point Links
October 04, 2011 08:28 AM
Posted by Jeff Doyle
I discussed in a previous article the necessity of abandoning IPv4 thinking when creating IPv6 address designs, and how our deeply ingrained need to conserve addresses can muddle our thinking. Nowhere does this conservative aversion to address waste snarl at us as menacingly as when we consider – completely compliant with the recommendations of ARIN and other RIRs – assigning /64 subnets to point-to-point links.
See all blogs by Jeff Doyle
Interop Video Previews
September 30, 2011 04:50 PM
Posted by Mike Fratto
Interop New York 2011 is upon us. Starting Oct. 3 and running through Oct. 7, UBM's Interop show sill be taking place at the Javits Center. It going to be a full week, starting with pre-conference days on virtualization, cloud computing and CIO boot camp. Wednesday through Friday, the conference kicks off with three full days of in-depth sessions and panels covering virtually every aspect of IT. The expo hall will be open Wednesday and Thursday so you can meet with vendors and see the latest gear. We have compiled previews for most of the conference tracks to highlight some must-see sessions if you are strapped for time.
See all blogs by Mike Fratto
Bringing IPv6 To A Venue Near You
September 20, 2011 01:47 PM
Posted by Jeff Doyle
IPv6 is happening, worldwide. Interest groups of all sizes are needed to help spread knowledge and best practices about the implementation projects we will all eventually face.
See all blogs by Jeff Doyle
IPv6 Design: Forget The IPv4 Rules
September 06, 2011 09:00 AM
Posted by Jeff Doyle
You've acquired a nice new IPv6 address block, and now you need to come up with an IPv6 address allocation design for your network. If there is one bit of advice I can offer you as you begin your IPv6 address design, it's this: Abandon almost everything you've learned about IPv4 address design. Throw it right out the window.
See all blogs by Jeff Doyle
IPv6 Is Coming. Time To Get Prepared
August 24, 2011 04:01 PM
Posted by Mike Fratto
IPv6 is coming. Sooner or later, you will be deploying IPv6 on your network, data center, or co-lo servers. It may be a few years off--longer if your ISP has a well thought out transition strategy in place--but IPv6 is different enough that you can learn the ins and outs on a smaller network before you have to deploy it widely. If you are looking for resources, start there. If you have a good resource you want to share, send me an email and I will check it out.
See all blogs by Mike Fratto
Vint Cerf's Internet Safety
June 15, 2011 08:10 AM
Posted by Mike Fratto
At the Internet Society INET conference, there was wide-ranging discussion on a variety of topics, from Net neutrality to privacy. A highlight was Vint Cerf's keynote in the afternoon. He focused on the importance of safety mechanisms for those using the Internet--safety in terms of being protected from abusive behavior and safety in terms of the ability to speak freely and, where and when needed, remain anonymous. These are big issues in the international theater.
See all blogs by Mike Fratto
Best of the Web
VXLAN termination on physical devices
VXLAN is an Experimental IETF draft of protocols to enable the creation of a large overlay, multi-tenant network.
ONF Deadly Serious About OpenFlow-Based SDNs
: OpenFlow is poised to reach over-hyped status, yet there are practical, useful reasons for keeping an eye on Openflow. The biggest cloud players are involved and driving the feature creation.
Practical Introduction to Applied OpenFlow
Get a primer on the Openflow protocol and what it can do for networking.
On Resilience of Spit-Architecture Networks
This research papers investigates the practical issues in split-architecture networks and the placement of the controllers, such as Openflow controllers, in the network.
