This title, an update to Understanding IPv6, 2^nd Edition, is the definitive resource for Windows network architects, implementers, and support staff on IPv6 and its implementation in Windows. While Understanding IPv6, 2^nd Edition was focused on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, this title includes details on the following versions of Windows:

• Windows 8, Windows Server 2012
• Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008

Understanding IPv6, 3^rd Edition contains the following changes and additions:

• Four new chapters on DirectAccess, IP-HTTPS, NAT64/DNS64, and the Microsoft IT deployment of IPv6
• Group Policy settings for transition technologies
• Windows PowerShell cmdlets and configuration examples
• Discussion of rogue routers and RA Guard
• Discussion of IPv6 address space allocation strategies
• Happy Eyeballs and IPv6 brokenness support
• Updated and expanded security and deployment considerations
• Rewritten appendix on setting up an IPv6 test lab
• Latest IPv6 product team recommendations regarding disabling IPv6 and the use of ISATAP

In the coming years, the entire IT pro world must be educated on IPv6. Although this book works well for individual learning, if you are tasked with teaching IPv6 to others, please consider using this book as the courseware for a course at the college level or for your own internal training program. To facilitate group-based, instructor or demonstration-led training, this book contains:

• Modules  Each chapter has learning objectives and review questions. Many chapters refer to Microsoft Network Monitor capture files, which are available from the Companion Content.
• Slides  There are a set of basic PowerPoint side decks for each chapter and for four of the appendices, which you can customize for your delivery. These are also available from the Companion Content.
• Hands-on  Use the instructions in Appendix C-Setting up an IPv6 Test Lab and have your students configure and demonstrate IPv6 functionality, taking their test lab from an IPv4-only to an IPv6-only environment.

I would like to publically thank the following people for helping me develop the content in this book:

• Microsoft technical reviewers and contributors: Vivek Bhanu, Onur Filiz, Firat Kiyak, Darene Lewis, Bill Murray, Chidambaram Muthu, Tim Quinn, Pat Telford, Ben Schultz, Sean Siler, and Jeromy Statia
• Technical review honorable mention: Dmitry Anipko, who reviewed every chapter and provided very detailed feedback on Windows IPv6 implementation details
• Writing the book’s Foreword: Chris Palmer, the IPv6 Program Manager
• My esteemed Technical Editor: Ed Horley, who provided great insight and value on industry-wide IPv6 developments and trends

Enjoy!

Joe Davies
Principal Writer

• The default IPv6 behavior of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 on a multi-subnet IPv4-only intranet
• The use of the Intra-Site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP) on an IPv4-only intranet
• The use of native IPv6 addressing and routing on the intranet
• The use of 6to4 to send IPv6 traffic across a simulated IPv4-only Internet

The resulting test lab is native IPv6-enabled on the intranet and can act as a test bed for application testing.

To configure and demonstrate DHCPv6 in the IPv6 test lab, see the IPv6 Test Lab Extension: Demonstrating DHCPv6.

To configure the IPv6 test lab for IPv6-only connectivity, see the IPv6 Test Lab Extension: Demonstrating an IPv6-only Environment. 

See the IPv6 Test Lab for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 portal page in the TechNet Wiki for more information.

Enjoy.

Joe Davies
Principal Writer
Windows Server Information Experience

Right now, many households in the United States are given what’s called a “unique” or “public” IPv4 address, like your phone number. You can call people, people can call you, and both parties have unique and routable identifiers. The most immediate effect of a shortage of IPv4 addresses is that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will have to be more frugal when giving IPv4 addresses to customers. Many households may have to share addresses using network address translators (NATs).

It is critical to understand that IPv4 scarcity shouldn't impact your standard Internet browsing experience in the near-term. However in the long-term, there is concern about the following issues:

• Large Scale Network Address Translation (LSN) can cause performance and reliability issues, especially in peer-to-peer scenarios. Multiplayer computer games might experience issues.
• Websites often use IP addresses to locate services relevant to you and your location. An example would be a website automatically finding the pizza place nearest your computer. If many people across disperse geographies are sharing IP addresses, it could make location-aware services very difficult.
  
• Many security tools used to keep websites safe from denial of service attacks use IP addresses to identify and analyze attacks. As IPv4 scarcity worsens, it is possible that such tools may accidentally disable access to users who are doing nothing wrong.
• Businesses may face difficulties expanding their online presence, as IPv4 addresses will grow increasingly hard to secure.
  

The Solution: IPv6

To ensure that these issues are avoided, the Internet is transitioning to the new protocol, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 offers a tremendous number of unique addresses – more than a billion per person! We’ll hopefully never run out. Websites and Internet experiences will gradually transition to this new system of communication, and we’re confident that prudent IPv6 migration will ensure that the Internet continues to function and grow. 

On June 8, 2011, Bing.com, Xbox.com, along with Internet properties from a host of technology companies, will be participating in World IPv6 Day. Most websites today only support IPv4, but on World IPv6 Day participating Internet properties will additionally enable connectivity via IPv6, going "dual-stack.”

This one-day test will enable the Internet community to evaluate the general state of IPv6 preparedness. We want to validate that all of the hardware and software that participates in Internet communication is able to transition smoothly. Laptops, home routers, web servers, network load balancers - there are a lot of things that need to checked for robust and scalable IPv6 support.

Most people won't even notice World IPv6 Day. If you have no IPv6 connectivity, then you will continue to work as before.  If you happen to have IPv6 connectivity, then your connectivity to participating websites will automatically shift over to IPv6.  Here at Windows, we’ve been working on IPv6 support since Windows XP. Windows Vista and Windows 7 are automatically enabled to use IPv6 when it is provided by your ISP and your local network.

IPv6 "Brokenness"

Again, most people will be fine on IPv6 Day. But not necessarily everyone - one thing that we hope to assess and isolate is how many users might lose network connectivity when accessing web sites that support dual IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity, a situation called "IPv6 Brokenness." For example, it is possible that a misconfiguration of your Internet connection can make it hard for your computer and browser to pick the right IP address to contact. This problem might require usage of the IPv6 Brokenness fix that we have made available on Knowledge Base.

Current indications show that this affects less than 0.1% of Internet users. The below test can help you understand whether you will be negatively affected, as well as whether you have IPv6 web access.

It’s important to note that this is a basic test of your computer, its configuration, its local network, and the connectivity provided by your ISP. A negative test at a coffee shop isn't necessarily informative of the experience at your home.  

Related Links

• Bing.com Announcement of Participation in World IPv6 Day
• Xbox.com Announcement of Participation in World IPv6 Day
• ISOC World IPv6 Page
• Test-IPv6.com (This is a cool Javascript based test, that provides considerable detail on your IPv6 status)
• Google's World IPv6 Day Announcement
• Facebook's World IPv6 Day Announcement
  

Note that this Webcast is mistitled “Architecting a Rollout of IPV6 for Improved Security.”

Enjoy.

Joe Davies

Principal Writer

Windows Server Information Experience

Because this is a TechNet Wiki topic, feel free to review and add resources that you have found valuable in learning about or evaluating IPv6 for your networks.

Thanks.

Joe Davies
Principal Writer
Windows Server Information Experience

Each section contains an ordered list of steps. Each step contains a learning goal so that you know how to fulfill the knowledge and experience requirements for that step. The learning goals allow you to quickly identify the prerequisites that must be met and determine your level for additional learning.

If you are new to IPv6 or are looking to enhance your knowledge of IPv6, check out the IPv6 Learning Roadmap.

Joe Davies
Principal Writer for the Windows Server Documentation Team

The University of New Hampshire Interoperability Laboratory has certified Windows 7 as IPv6 Ready, which confirms via third-party testing that the IPv6 protocol in Windows 7 complies with interoperability and conformance tests defined by the IPv6 Ready Logo committee.

To see the versions of Windows that have passed interoperability testing, click here.

Joe Davies
Principal Writer for the Windows Server Documentation Team

• Upgrade public/external facing servers and services (e.g. web, email, DNS, ISP services, etc.) to operationally use native IPv6 by the end of FY 2012
• Upgrade internal client applications that communicate with public Internet servers and supporting enterprise networks to operationally use native IPv6 by the end of FY 2014

To read the directive, click here. For an additional summary, see White House issues IPv6 directive in NetworkWorld.

Joe Davies
Principal Writer for the Windows Server Documentation Team

See No IPv6 plan? You're behind schedule in NetworkWorld for the details.

Joe Davies
Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team