IPv6 Set Up and Is it worth it?

mk1 · Sep 16, 2012, 16:11:14

Hello,

I've been reading recent news and i know idnet offer IPv6, i have two questions. Are there any benefits to swapping over and if so how do i do it?

router: Netgear DGND3300v2

IPv6 options are:
6to4 tunnel, IPv6 DNS server: ?? or
Enable NAT-PT (Network Address Translation - Protocol Translation)
IPv6 Prefix (2000:ffff:): ??

I've read other posts but did not really understand them. $:-\$

Steve · Sep 16, 2012, 19:53:44

I'm not certain whether the current firmware for this router supports native IPv6 or not. It didn't seem to last year.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25933.0.html

The likely option is enable IPv6 DNS server.

The benefits of IPv6 access currently are very small imo. Although RIPE have stated very recently that they've run out of IPv4 addresses.

The usual set up is a dual stack router which allows you to use both the IPv4 and the IPv6 internets simultaneously.

pctech · Sep 16, 2012, 20:13:19

I have this router and I can't seem to get 6to4 to work (I use a different ISP that is working towards IPv6 rollout).

It seems to be a work in progress but getting an answer from Netgear is neigh on impossible.

Ardua · Sep 16, 2012, 20:42:07

I have been using IDNet's IPv6 service for the past 12 months and it works seamlessly with IPv4. On Mac devices, the OS selects the faster of the two connections (provided the site eg: Thinkbroadband, has both an IPv4 and an IPv6 address). I cannot comment on Netgear as I use a Fritz!box with auto IPv6 selected. As IPv4 addresses have now been exhausted IPv6 will undoubtedly come more into play in the years ahead. The key point for me is that I do not have to worry: the router is set up for both types of addresses and the OS makes the final decision.

pctech · Sep 16, 2012, 20:52:04

I'm finding the firmware on this router a little flaky actually.

it seems to be randomly dropping packets and will occasionally refuse to pass DNS requests onto the DNS servers at my ISP.

mervl · Sep 16, 2012, 22:38:01

If you use IPv6 I find dual stack essential as I find only a couple of the usual consumer sites are set up for it, and notably none of the usual suspect shopping, banking, government, utility, and entertainment (including BBC) sites (unless anyone knows better of course). Most notably Google has an IPv6 site for searches, to try. If IPv6 is faster in loading then it's not something I'm capable of noticing! The run-out of IPv4 addressing only affects new connections, and due to churn and holding blocks in readiness, I should think the likelihood of it in practice having a significant effect for several years is virtually zilch (as well as not many consumer routers or ISP's yet being set up for it, including the big boys). All that said so far as I can see IDNet's IPv6 (provided your connection has been set up with the facility -you may need to check) seems to work perfectly on the rare occasion that I find a site I'm visiting that is set up for it, and dual stack means I don't have to worry! If you are a ThinkBroadband fanatic then the main site and an alternative speed test has it, though not as far as I can see their forums (same as the rest then!). But if you like the idea of being a pioneer (or

guinea pig, which must have been what attracted me) . . .

mk1 · Sep 17, 2012, 08:04:22

The router has supported it since i can remember (but not officially) it has a hidden menu which has the options i mentioned above. I think i need to manually input the IPv6 DNS server for it to work, is this correct?

The (if anyone has the same router) address for the page is:

http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.ipv6.htm

(xxx your internal ip)

Quote from: Steve on Sep 16, 2012, 19:53:44
I'm not certain whether the current firmware for this router supports native IPv6 or not. It didn't seem to last year.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25933.0.html

The likely option is enable IPv6 DNS server.

The benefits of IPv6 access currently are very small imo. Although RIPE have stated very recently that they've run out of IPv4 addresses.

The usual set up is a dual stack router which allows you to use both the IPv4 and the IPv6 internets simultaneously.

Ardua · Sep 17, 2012, 11:14:38

Worth a read if you are considering buying a new router:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/ipv6-when-do-you-really-need-to-switch/2444

Gary · Sep 17, 2012, 11:35:29

Quote from: Steve on Sep 16, 2012, 19:53:44
I'm not certain whether the current firmware for this router supports native IPv6 or not. It didn't seem to last year.

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,25933.0.html

The likely option is enable IPv6 DNS server.

The benefits of IPv6 access currently are very small imo. Although RIPE have stated very recently that they've run out of IPv4 addresses.

The usual set up is a dual stack router which allows you to use both the IPv4 and the IPv6 internets simultaneously.

Edit wrong router sorry the 3700v2 has IPV6 support

Gary · Sep 17, 2012, 11:39:19

Quote from: pctech on Sep 16, 2012, 20:52:04
I'm finding the firmware on this router a little flaky actually.

it seems to be randomly dropping packets and will occasionally refuse to pass DNS requests onto the DNS servers at my ISP.

Never had that issue with my old 3300, it would stay up for months, Mitch. Maybe a faulty router. What have you set the MTU at? That router seems to pick 1492 which caused me issues till i selected 1458. The new 3700v2 I have grabs the MTU at 1458 automatically.

Gary · Sep 17, 2012, 11:45:29

Quote from: mk1 on Sep 17, 2012, 08:04:22
The router has supported it since i can remember (but not officially) it has a hidden menu which has the options i mentioned above. I think i need to manually input the IPv6 DNS server for it to work, is this correct?

The (if anyone has the same router) address for the page is:

http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.ipv6.htm

(xxx your internal ip)

I dont think that router is meant to run IPV6 tbh, the fact its a hidden page suggests that. My Netgear gives me the option of Auto, which I believe is how IDnet would have you set it up, and its not hidden. Unless there is a firmware update that makes the settings visible I would not rely on that router to behave as it should with IPV6

Steve · Sep 17, 2012, 12:10:57

It may support IPv6 but has anyone managed to get native IPv6 working ?? Setup up of IPv6 with IDNet requires a compatible router , IPv6 addressing is automatic and dynamic. Routers which we know that work are Billion 7800N and Fritz!box.

Gary · Sep 17, 2012, 12:30:05

Quote from: Steve on Sep 17, 2012, 12:10:57
It may support IPv6 but has anyone managed to get native IPv6 working ?? Setup up of IPv6 with IDNet requires a compatible router , IPv6 addressing is automatic and dynamic. Routers which we know that work are Billion 7800N and Fritz!box.

Well the 3700v2 can as it has native settings for Auto and dynamic and on the Netgear forums others have used it for IPV6. The 3300 I would imagine will not. I will be setting mine up Friday when I have to remove and add a bunch of gadgets to the router so setting up IPV6 may as well be done at the same time

mk1 · Sep 17, 2012, 18:19:48

So i've not done anything about this yet, as i would need to ask idnet for the dns address and i guess there is no benefit in getting it for me?