IPv6 Blog

Understanding IPv6, 3rd Edition is published!

2012-07-13T16:51:00Z

After four and a half years of waiting, I am both proud (and relieved) to announce the publication and availability of Understanding IPv6, 3 rd Edition ( Amazon page ). 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...(read more)

Get your hands on it with the IPv6 Test Lab Guide and extensions

2011-06-03T19:40:00Z

If you are just starting to learn about IPv6 and want to get your hands on it, try the Test Lab Guide: Demonstrate IPv6 ( http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=9db5abdf-80e0-4c3e-9204-69c6c65e2195 ). T his new Test Lab Guide (TLG) takes you through the following: 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...(read more)

World IPv6 Day and Windows

2011-05-20T16:00:00Z

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority ( IANA ), the international body responsible for distributing Internet addresses, completed their last allocation of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address blocks on February 3, 2011 2010 . IPv4 addresses are the "phone numbers" of the Internet and are responsible for identifying computers so they can communicate with each other. IPv4 has around 4 billion addresses. Considering the number of people and businesses that use the Internet, many of whom have...(read more)

MS Enterprise IPv6 Deployment TechNet Webcast available

2011-03-30T15:39:02Z

Take a look at the MS Enterprise IPv6 Deployment TechNet Webcast for information about the requirements for IPv6 on the Microsoft corporate network, Microsoft’s IPv6 deployment strategy, its current state, lessons learned along the way, and suggested areas of planning for your IPv6 deployment. Note that this Webcast is mistitled “Architecting a Rollout of IPV6 for Improved Security.” Enjoy. Joe Davies Principal Writer Windows Server Information Experience...(read more)

New dedicated IPv6 TechNet Forum!

2010-12-20T17:16:58Z

The new IPv6 TechNet Forum (http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-us/ipv6/threads) provides a space for you to ask questions and comment on issues with IPv6 in Windows. This is a TechNet forum, so there is a slight server/IT focus, but we welcome discussions on IPv6 application development as well. Best! Chris Palmer Microsoft IPv6 Program Manager...(read more)

IPv6 Survival Guide in the TechNet Wiki now available

2010-12-07T18:59:00Z

The new IPv6 Survival Guide ( http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/ipv6-survival-guide.aspx ) in the TechNet Wiki contains a new organization of links to Microsoft and third-party resources on IPv6. 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...(read more)

IPv6 Learning Roadmap now available

2010-11-02T21:22:17Z

The IPv6 Learning Roadmap provides an organized and sequential list of Web and print resources that you can use to build your understanding of IPv6, starting with prerequisites and then adding level 100 (introductory), level 200 (intermediate), and level 300 (advanced) knowledge. 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...(read more)

Windows 7 passes Phase-2 testing and is IPv6 Ready

2010-10-19T17:36:08Z

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...(read more)

US Federal Directive to Support IPv6

2010-09-30T23:06:05Z

Vivek Kundra, the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO), issued a directive on September 28 to “expedite the operational deployment and use of IPv6,” which includes the following for US agencies (excerpted): 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...(read more)

Don’t fall behind, start your IPv6 planning now

2010-09-22T18:47:35Z

A recent survey by the Number Resource Organization (NRO) of over 1,500 network operators found that 84% either have or are considering obtaining public IPv6 address space from Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). 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...(read more)

Rocky Mountain IPv6 Summit presentations available online

2010-06-14T20:26:10Z

The presentations in PDF form for the recently-concluded Rocky Mountain IPv6 Summit are now available online at http://www.rmv6tf.org/presentations2010.htm . These presentations cover a wide ground of topical IPv6 technologies and issues. Take a look. Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team...(read more)

New DirectAccess deployment resources published

2010-03-01T17:07:00Z

For DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2: · Windows 2008 R2 Direct Access Server Management Pack for SC Operations Manager 2007 SP1 The management pack includes rich set of Alarms, Monitors and Agent Tasks that can be used to successfully and efficiently manage a DirectAccess server. For DirectAccess in Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG): · Microsoft Forefront Unified Access Gateway Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007 This management pack includes monitoring...(read more)

NIST “Guidelines for the Secure Deployment of IPv6” Special Publication is available for public comment

2010-02-26T15:22:00Z

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now offering a draft of the Special Publication named “Guidelines for the Secure Deployment of IPv6” (SP 800-119) for public comment. See the information here about how to obtain this draft publication and submit your comments by April 23, 2010. Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team...(read more)

Available public IPv4 address space passes ominous milestone

2010-01-22T15:20:00Z

The Number Resource Organization (NRO) announced that the percentage of available public IPv4 address space has dropped below 10%. See a summary of the announcement in NetworkWorld here . See the full announcement here . IPv6, your time is coming… Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team...(read more)

New documentation is available for DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG)

2010-01-12T17:47:00Z

For DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2: · Step By Step Guide: Troubleshoot DirectAccess in a Test Lab Describes DirectAccess troubleshooting tools, the results of the tools in a working DirectAccess test lab, and how to troubleshoot common problems in the DirectAccess test lab. For DirectAccess in Forefront UAG: · Forefront UAG DirectAccess technical overview Describes the benefits of Forefront UAG DirectAccess, how Forefront UAG DirectAccess works, and what is required to deploy...(read more)

New and updated DirectAccess documentation is now available

2009-12-11T15:22:00Z

The following new documentation resources for DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 are now available: · Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 DirectAccess IT Infrastructure Compatibility This white paper describes how DirectAccess integrates with existing IT environments. · DirectAccess Learning Roadmap Provides links to resources that build your understanding of DirectAccess, from prerequisites to introductory, intermediate, and advanced information. The following updated documentation...(read more)

IPv6 considered for the Smart Grid

2009-11-02T16:49:00Z

The Smart Grid, a modernization and automation of the United States power grid, will potentially need millions of devices, each with their own address. Due to the relative scarcity of public IPv4 addresses and the complications of using address translators, IPv6 with its large address space for end-to-end connectivity is being considered. For more information, see Will Smart Grid power IPv6? in Network World online. Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking...(read more)

New DirectAccess documentation is now available

2009-10-27T18:31:00Z

The following new documentation resources for DirectAccess are now available: · DirectAccess Deployment Guide This guide provides checklists and step-by-step procedures for deploying DirectAccess servers and DirectAccess client settings. Use this guide to answer the “How” questions a deployment team might ask before implementing a DirectAccess design. · DirectAccess Troubleshooting Guide This early version describes the troubleshooting tools to use when diagnosing DirectAccess problems...(read more)

DirectAccess Design Guide is now available

2009-08-31T18:28:00Z

The DirectAccess Design Guide is now available and published in the following locations: · As Web articles on TechNet · As a white paper in the Microsoft download center This guide provides information about advantages, disadvantages, requirements, recommendations, and design considerations for deploying DirectAccess. It answers the “What,” “Why,” and “When” questions that your deployment design team might ask before deploying DirectAccess in a production environment. Additionally, the...(read more)

Great advice on finding and using an IPv6-capable ISP

2009-08-13T19:05:00Z

For those of you investigating what it takes to get your organization connected to the IPv6 Internet, check out “ Finding an IPv6 ISP: Advice on Choosing and IPv6-capable Internet Service Provider ” from NetworkWorld blogger Scott Hogg. Scott describes the types of IPv6 Internet connectivity (native vs. tunneled), discusses recommendations, and provides lists of links to ISPs and additional resources. Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation...(read more)

DirectAccess Early Adopter's Guide for Windows Server 2008 RC is available

2009-07-23T22:16:00Z

The DirectAccess Early Adopter's Guide, updated for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate (RC), is published in the following locations: · As Web articles on TechNet · As a white paper in the Microsoft download center This guide has the latest conceptual, planning, design, deployment, and troubleshooting information for DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2 RC and Windows 7 RC. If you are investigating DirectAccess, use the Step By Step Guide: Demonstrate DirectAccess in a Test Lab...(read more)

New ARIN CEO stresses the IPv4 address depletion problem and the importance of migrating to IPv6

2009-07-10T19:40:00Z

Network World interviews John Curran, the new president and CEO of the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), in Internet's biggest issue? IPv6 transition, new ARIN CEO says . Some direct quotes from John Curran: · IPv4 address depletion is the most pressing issue facing the Internet community today… · Yes, we are going to run out of free IPv4 addresses, and organizations that want to be able to make use of the Internet will need to support IPv6. · The carriers obviously need...(read more)

Cable Guy article on the IPv6 enhancements in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 now available

2009-07-01T20:36:00Z

The Cable Guy article in the July 2009 issue of TechNet Magazine online, titled “ Support for IPv6 in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 ,” describes HomeGroup, DirectAccess, and the enhancements for IPv6 transition technologies. Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team...(read more)

Major carriers ramping up support for IPv6

2009-06-19T22:12:00Z

Check out these recent articles in Network World that describe how major carriers for Internet traffic are now supporting IPv6 or developing support for IPv6: · Comcast open for IPv6 business · LTE devices must support IPv6, says Verizon · U.S. carriers quietly developing IPv6 services The future is on its way… Joe Davies Principal Technical Writer for the Windows Server Networking Documentation Team...(read more)

More New Technical Resources for DirectAccess

2009-06-09T20:37:00Z

Check out these new technical resources for DirectAccess , the next-generation remote access feature in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 that uses IPv6 for end-to-end connectivity and IPsec for traffic protection: DirectAccess Datasheet This 2-page datasheet provides a brief overview of DirectAccess, its benefits, system requirements, and features. Convergent Computing Case Study and Sporton International Case Study These case studies describe how Convergent Computing...(read more)