As the global supply of IPv4 addresses continues to dwindle, enterprises will need to be able to support the exploding number of IPv6-enabled devices that will connect to the network, whether a laptop, mobile phone, printer, scanner or tablet. Not having an IP address is the equivalent of having a phone without a phone number, which is why there is a critical need for enterprises to evaluate, prepare and begin the network migration process today.

Top-line survey results reinforce that enterprises are facing some major education, planning and implementation challenges that indicate most are ill-prepared for a successful IPv6 network migration. To address most of these concerns, dispel common myths and provide some best practices guidance, Infoblox IPv6 and DNS expert Cricket Liu will host a live IPv6 broadcast on June 7, 2011.

Data Reveals Concerns and Challenges

• 80% feel they are not educated well enough to take on IPv6 migration

• 1 out 2 respondents don’t know which of their network elements support IPv6 today

• 41% still track IP addresses manually with spreadsheets, which can be error-prone, time-consuming, costly and unsustainable in IPv6 environments

• 70% are concerned about performing a successful IPv6 deployment

• Lack of education and risk of the unknown are the top fears of taking on IPv6

• 41% rate their readiness behind industry peers

• Most people are in the “learning” phase of IPv6

• Only 24% have dedicated resources to manage the migration from IPv4 to IPv6

• 23% expect to enable external-facing web sites for IPv6 in the next 12 months

“The level of concern is high, which is good, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about the necessary steps, tools and plans required to successfully manage the transition from IPv4 to IPv6,” commented Cricket Liu, Infoblox Vice President of Architecture and Technology and DNS and IPv6 expert.
“While the transition won’t happen overnight, some obvious first steps include education, an assessment of which network devices are IPv6-ready, and implementing automated IP address management tools. Tracking IP addresses in a spreadsheet is truly risky with longer, 128-bit IPv6 addresses, increasing the likelihood of manual entry-related errors. Solutions that automate IP address management are now a necessity to prevent errors and keep up with today’s dynamic networks and instant user demands.”
Useful Resources To Help Manage the IPv6 Transition

To learn more about IPv6 enablement, myths and best practices, Infoblox offers the following resources:

• Live IPv6 Broadcast: IPv6 expert Cricket Liu offers advice on how enterprises can prepare their networks for the transition to IPv6.

• Free Trial Software: IPv6-enabled IP Address Management software trial download.

• Video Tutorials: Cricket Liu offers clear and concise definitions and suggestions for jumpstarting your IPv6 initiatives.

• Seven Deadly IPv6 Transition Traps Whitepaper: Outlines the mistakes to avoid throughout an IPv6 transition.

• IPv6 Transition Tools: Details of Infoblox IPv6-ready solutions.

• IPv6 Resource Center: Links to several practical IPv6 tools and a fun online challenge

Infoblox Offers Keys to Successful IPv6 Transition

The transition to IPv6 is a challenging and risky endeavor; however, if executed through proper planning and leveraging tools with built-in automation, it can be achieved successfully. Infoblox solutions provide the automation, visibility, intelligence and management needed for a successful IPv6 transition.

Critical Infoblox IPv6 capabilities include AAAA records for DNS resolution, dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 IP address management from a single interface, task delegation and automation for complex addressing tasks, IP discovery and network inventory for IPv6 address planning, automated IPv6 network change and configuration management to ensure the IPv6 network is secure and compliant, and more.