IPv6 - What do I need to know?

Dangerjunkie · May 18, 2008, 12:55:20

Hi,

This summer I'm going to a major event for work and we've been informed that the networks provided from the site for our use will be IPv6.

I've never used an IPv6 network before. My machine runs (K)ubuntu Linux 8.04 Hardy (main OS) and XP Pro SP2 (ma upgrade to SP3 before the trip.) Is there anything I need to know to make sure I can connect to this network and that my SSH VPN (which is based on an IPv4 network and uses v4) works?

Thanks,
Paul.

Rik · May 18, 2008, 12:57:35

Does this help, Paul:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6

Dangerjunkie · May 18, 2008, 13:44:03

Thanks for that Rik. Good stuff.

I'm hoping someone here has used IPv6 and can pass on any "gotchas" they may have found.

Cheers,
Paul.

Rik · May 18, 2008, 14:19:25

So or Mad might have hands on experience.

Sebby · May 18, 2008, 14:46:24

If you're running XP, you'll need to install IPv6. From the Microsoft website:

To install the IPv6 protocol for Windows XP with SP2 or later, do the following:

1. Log on to the computer with a user account that has privileges to change network configuration.
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click any local area connection, and then click Properties.
4. Click Install.
5. In the Select Network Component Type dialog box, click Protocol, and then click Add.
6. In the Select Network Protocol dialog box, click Microsoft TCP/IP version 6, and then click OK.
7. Click Close to save changes to your network connection.

Vista supports it out of the box, IIRC.

madasahatter · May 18, 2008, 15:36:26

Sorry - no one will let me loose on it yet so haven't any hands on experience, but I've read loads about it

Only thing I would have advised is what sebby already has done - Vista does support it out of the box, but it needs adding to XP.

Dangerjunkie · May 19, 2008, 11:16:48

Thanks Sebby and guys.

I just installed the protocol on my Windows partition. I hadn't even considered that something as new as XPP SP2 might not have v6 as standard. I think you just saved me some angst

Cheers,
Paul.

Sebby · May 19, 2008, 19:09:43

If I understand correctly, XP SP2 does have it as standard, but it needs to be "enabled".

Lance · May 19, 2008, 21:21:33

XP SP2 isn't really that new now, either

Sebby · May 19, 2008, 22:21:53

True, but it was a milestone for XP as it included extras, not just hotfixes.

plugwash · May 20, 2008, 01:45:01

IPV4 (conventional IP) and IPV6 are seperate protocols. A v6 only host cannot talk to a V4 only host and vice versa. Applications must also support IPV6.

Will there really only be ipv6 connectivity or will there be some form of connectivity to the V4 internet as well. Or is this a purely internal network?

While XP supports IPV6 (and has done since release though they added some extra features in the advanced networking pack which was later rolled into SP2) it's support is somewhat lacking. The dns servers must be on IPV4 and if you need to use anything other than autoconfiguration you will have to configure though command line utilities.

Dangerjunkie · May 20, 2008, 10:06:40

All I have is one sentence "China is also using the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a test bed for IPv6 networking." in a BBC news story. I just want to be prepared in case I arrive and the whole shooting match is IPv6.

Cheers,
Paul.

plugwash · May 21, 2008, 20:52:19

I find that highly unlikely

have you contacted the places you will be when you need internet connectivity and got clarification on this point?