System Administration Guide: IP Services

Preparing the Network Topology for IPv6 Support

The first step in IPv6 deployment is to assess which existing entities on your network can support IPv6. In most cases, the network topology-wires, routers, and hosts-can remain unchanged as you implement IPv6. However, you might have to prepare existing hardware and applications for IPv6 before actually configuring IPv6 addresses on network interfaces.

Verify which hardware on your network can be upgraded to IPv6. For example, check the manufacturers' documentation for IPv6 readiness regarding the following classes of hardware:


Note –

All procedures in the this Part assume that your equipment, particularly routers, can be upgraded to IPv6.


Some router models cannot be upgraded to IPv6. For more information and a workaround, refer to IPv4 Router Cannot Be Upgraded to IPv6.