* Internal educational challenges: It's important for staff who interact at a technical level with customers to
at least understand the existence of IPv6 and some of the issues, as more and more customers will start using it.
Managers of call centers, and managers of software and hardware groups will need some education. But the deepest
level of knowledge required is at the system/network level, and staff there need some formal training.
* Availability of knowledgeable workforce: Many technical people are aware of the need for IPv6, but have been
held back by other demands and business priorities. The knowledgeable workforce is not large at the moment, but
IPv6Now's experience from numerous training courses is that people find it easier to understand than originally
expected, and quickly develop confidence and expertise. This does, however, mean either hiring a knowledgeable
staff or training-up existing staff.
Making the move better
According to multiple sources with firsthand experience regarding both IPv6 network transition and equipment
challenges, a seamless IPv6 transition will require a systemized approach that leverages deep telecom and IP
network knowledge across multi-vendors and technologies. This systematic approach is critical to developing an
efficient, comprehensive and hassle-free IPv6 implementation plan, design and execution. Moreover, it is key to
facilitating a smooth IPv6 migration strategy across diverse architectures.
For most, this means partnering and collaborating with an established IPv6 vendor that can bring valuable
implementation insights and provide guidance on avoiding any operational challenges that will plague the majority
of the "go it alone" IPv6 implementers.
There are a number of different paths one can take when making the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, each having its
own set of merits and/or implications for service providers. Simplest and easy, the most logical option for almost
all service providers is to deploy dual-stack on their network allowing
support for both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously. This can be deployed in different ways, depending on the service
provider's vision and network capability.
CLEAR CHOICE TEST: IPv6:
Dual-stack strategy starts at the perimeter
The frequently used methods are:
