IPv6: Trillions of new net addresses now possible

[prestonradar]

I notice that I asked about Sky using IPv6 here in May 2010. Since it is in the headline news again today here.
I wondered if you have any more information on Sky's uptake of IPv6?

[Scubbie]

thinkbroadband :: June 6th: World IPv6 Launch Day

Wednesday marks World IPv6 Launch Day, when many major websites such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft turn on IPv6 on their homepages. On 6th June 2011, we saw a 24-hour trial of IPv6 on the main website addresses of these sites to test for any problems, but this year IPv6 will stay enabled for good.

IPv6 is an Internet Protocol which succeeds IPv4 which currently powers much of the Internet. These protocols are critical as they relate to addressing devices connected to the Internet. We are fast running out of IPv4 addresses, so to get new users and devices online, more addresses are required, and IPv6 deals with this problem.

Of course, many of the more technical users may already be using IPv6 and many websites (thinkbroadband included) have been operating IPv6 on the main website for quite some time. However this event marks a mainstream change as some of the largest websites on the Internet turn on IPv6 for good.

You can test if you can access the IPv6 Internet and if you can, compare your IPv4 versus IPv6 broadband speed.

Users shouldn't need to be concerned about whether they are connecting to a website over IPv4 or IPv6 and many will go through this transition without even realising it. Many broadband routers will require upgrading or software updates to support IPv6 so it may be some time until the entire Internet is IPv6 enabled, but users will continue to be able to access websites and most other content on the Internet via IPv4 for many years to come.

[prestonradar]

Mmmm..?? Thank you Scubbie for that. Erm, do you actually have any news of Sky using IPv6 yet please?

[Scubbie]

The Sky routers will all require suitable updates to support IPv6. Currently they are all only capable of supporting IPv4.

I haven't heard any rumours yet regarding the introduction of IPv6 on the Sky network, but I would hope that it will become available over the next few years. What is interesting is that Sky have recently added a new IPv4 range to their consumer IP addresses. Last year they added a few blocks starting with '2'. Recently I've noticed '176' at the beginning.

As for non-Sky routers, there is a whole range out there. For anyone using their own routers, now is a good time to see what level of support they have for IPv6.

Some individual models will support only IPv4 and this isn't just limited to the older models.

The Netgear WNDR3700v1, v2, v3 and WNDR3800 all support IPv6, but although a beta firmware was written for the DGND3700 to support IPv6, it hasn't been made available on a general release at the moment.

[Scubbie]

Mmmm..?? Thank you Scubbie for that. Erm, do you actually have any news of Sky using IPv6 yet please?

Sorry, I was about to cross post the above news story, but noticed you had already posted a similar one. I was going to post a response, which I have now, to your question as well.

[prestonradar]

LOL. OK thanks for the info.

[Isitme]

I think Sky is going to be depending on Terrado Tunneling for some time to come. None of the Sky routers support IPv6. I wonder if a firmware update can remedy this. I doubt it somehow, very few Netgear routers are compatible and those that are are all cable models..

Another thing that is puzzling me is what actually receives the IPv6 address. As far as I can see my Win 7 machines already have IPv6 addresses, but the XP ones don't. Does this mean that each device connected will have its own address or will one address cover them as at present. Will the router's address be used as the master with the devices connected to it using their own internal IPv6 address? I notice the Win7 machines also have a Link-local address. The present LAN addressing system, ie, 192.168.xxx.xxx etc., are IPv4, does this mean the whole LAN addressing system will have to change or will this still be used internally and IPv6 just used for accessing the internet.

[prestonradar]

On my Windows 7 computer it says IPv6 connectivity "No internet access." But it does show a "link-local" IPv6 address..?? It also shows IPv6 Default gateway & DNS server but no info for them.
As for what you ask, I don't know; but I would be interested in finding out.
I wonder if Sky will give out any info..??

[James_Mitchell]

I believe WinXP is not IPv6 compatible at all. For Windows 7 I think you are just seeing internal IPv6 info.

[prestonradar]

Right; I've just looked at Windows 8 but it just shows what 7 does.