IPv6 Transition Strategies

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While much of the recent media attention surrounding Internet addressing has been portrayed in stark terms -- either IPv4 or IPv6—this is a false choice.  The way we see it, the discussion is more properly framed as IPv4 and IPv6 coexistence.  The reality is that the more than two billion current Internet users globally are using IPv4 addresses, so the transition to IPv6 will be gradual, unfolding in a controlled manner over many years.  We can look to the  evolving transitions from ATM and Frame Relay to Ethernet as an informative precedent. 

Each organization will have to determine the  IPv6 transition strategy that makes the most sense for their environment. The best strategy will depend on a wide range of highly unique variables and assumptions, including their remaining address pool and forecast address consumption rates as well as their current and target markets and service mix, their network readiness and investment cycle and their technology and business goals. There simply is no one right answer for everyone…and what may be the right answer today could change tomorrow. This will be a multi-year transition after all. What are companies to do? 

As you consider your options, do know that Juniper stands ready and able to help you successfully navigate the transition to IPv6.  Not only do we offer IPv4/IPv6 coexistence and IPv6 solutions across our high performance routing , switching and security portfolio, but we also have a tremendous amount of experience assisting all types of companies in meeting their specific addressing needs.  Our approach delivers pragmatic solutions that meet the immediate challenges of IPv4 address exhaustion while providing the tools to interoperate in a mixed IP version world. Even as the transition towards IPv6 gets more and more attention, its important to remember that continued access to the IPv4 Internet will be a priority for the foreseeable future.  Juniper has a comprehensive web page to help you successfully navigate the path ahead: http://www.juniper.net/us/en/dm/world-ipv6/