IPv6 Adoption
About ARIN
What Is IPv6?
The American Registry
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a newer
numbering system that provides a much
larger address pool than the previous
version (IPv4), amongst other features.
for Internet Numbers
(ARIN) is the nonprofit
corporation that distributes
Internet number resources,
including Internet Protocol
(IP) addresses, to Canada,
many Caribbean and
North Atlantic islands, and
the United States.
More Information
Learn about IPv6
implementation on
the IPv6 Wiki at
http://www.getipv6.info/,
or on the ARIN website at
https://www.arin.net/
v4-v6.html!
Why Adopt IPv6?
As people use more Internet-enabled
devices, organizations and Internet Service
Providers must expand their networks,
thereby using more IP addresses.
However, the IPv4 pool is running out of
addresses. Soon, organizations that
require larger contiguous blocks of
address space will only be able to receive
them in IPv6. Contiguous blocks of IP
address space are necessary for activities
like building out new large networks and
adding new customers to existing networks
without causing additional burden on the
Internet routing infrastructure.
What Are the
Adoption Costs?
Specific adoption needs and
considerations vary based on many
factors, but costs may include:
• Obtaining IPv6 addresses and
connectivity
• Upgrading operating systems, software,
and network management tools
• Updating routers, firewalls, and
middleware devices
• Training IT staff and customer service
representatives
What Do I Need To
Do To Prepare My
Network?
Requirements to make website, e-mail,
and other communication services
available via IPv6 will be different for each
organization, depending on how the
network is set up and what services are
deployed. Basic preparation may include:
• Replacing any outdated equipment and
software with IPv6-ready devices and
applications
• Encouraging hardware and application
vendors to support IPv6, and specifically
including IPv6 support in RFPs and
contracts
• Sending IT staff to IPv6 training
seminars and encouraging them to
read forums like the ARIN IPv6 Wiki, or
to get involved in organizations like the
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) or
the North American Network
Operators’ Group (NANOG)
• Talking to ISPs about getting IPv6 service
or about tunneling IPv6 over IPv4
• Designing your networks to allow for
easy renumbering. ARIN recommends
upstream providers enter into
contractual arrangements with their
customers stipulating that the address
space may have to be returned,
requiring all end-sites to be renumbered
• Getting involved in ARIN’s policy and
membership activities
For more information, visit us at www.arin.net or e-mail us at info@arin.net.