How soon will IPv6 be fully adopted?
29/10/2024
IPv6 has been a recurring topic among experts for years. At LACNIC 42 – LACNOG 2024, a panel titled “IPv6: Death by DNS” analyzed the most common issues when deploying this protocol, particularly those related to DNS resolution.
Moderated by Tomás Lynch, the panel brought together four regional experts: Carlos Martínez, Douglas Fischer, Jaime Olmos, and Uesley Correa. They discussed the necessary changes for properly deploying IPv6, as well as the most common mistakes organizations face.
In his introduction, Lynch pointed out that common issues often stem from incorrect configurations or misunderstandings about how IPv6 and DNS interact.
Martínez warned that if ISPs do not announce the quad-A record, the rest of the world will remain unaware that they support IPv6. “There’s no telepathic communication between users and servers. If I don’t publish them in DNS, no one will ever know what addresses I have,” he explained.
Jaime Olmos, from the University of Guadalajara, shared how his university implemented IPv6, although it did not reflect in usage statistics due to monitoring issues. This was an unexpected challenge that came to light once they began analyzing the traffic.
Uesley Correa, who calls himself an “IPv6 evangelist,” highlighted a frequent error: prioritizing the training of only a few technicians rather than engaging the whole organization. In his view, educating everyone about IPv6 is crucial for successful deployment.
Douglas Fischer, a Network Engineer at Telecom, finds it most frustrating when his fellow network operators turn off IPv6 as a quick fix for problems. “I’m disappointed that they disable IPv6 to resolve issues, rather than finding the right solution and keeping IPv6 active,” said the Brazilian Engineer.
Education and Standards. One of the most serious challenges, according to Olmos, is the lack of procedures or standards when tracking IPv6 deployment during staff turnover within organizations. In most cases, the implementation of the protocol is not formally documented.
He also criticized the lack of IPv6 courses in Mexican universities. “Students are learning network technologies that will soon be outdated,” he commented.
Stages of Deployment. Correa outlines IPv6 deployment in organizations into four phases, each representing their internal development. The first phase, known as “euphoria,” occurs when organizations obtain IPv6 address blocks. In this initial stage, there is a lot of enthusiasm, accompanied by marketing and communication efforts to celebrate the adoption of the protocol. The next phase is “understanding,” where technical benefits such as lower latency and more efficient browsing thanks to the ability to handle larger volumes of data.
As IPv6 becomes less of a novelty, organizations move into the “accommodation” phase. At this point, the lack of immediate, noticeable results often leads to a drop in enthusiasm, causing delays in IPv6 implementation for new projects. The final stage is “maturation,” where the protocol is fully established within the company, and leaders actively encourage its use, highlighting its strategic advantages to their teams.
This evolution shows that adopting IPv6 is not just a technical challenge but an organizational process that demands dedication and education across all levels.
Finally, Lynch asked the panelists to predict when 100% IPv6 adoption might be achieved. Martínez suggested 90% as a realistic target, while Fischer expressed more doubt, stating: “We won’t live to see 100% IPv6.”
We invite you to rewatch the panel. Let’s dive deeper into the future of IPv6!