What point you recommend that businesses change from the TCP/IP scheme of today to IPv6 or its successor?

Question

The explosion of growth in the Internet has had a dramatic effect on the need for TCP/IP address space. IPv6 has been proposed as a solution to this problem. However, it is not without cost. Given the changes needed for a new addressing scheme, at what point you recommend that businesses change from the TCP/IP scheme of today to IPv6 or its successor? Should the change be proactive (made before there is a crisis) or reactive (wait until there is a crisis)? Consider implementation costs, business continuity, replacement of existing hardware and software, and the time needed for reprogramming in your response.

Answer 1

Well we are still a few years away from seeing a prolific amount of IPV6 services.  So my clients all have road-maps that utilize Big IP, Progressing to IPV4 and eventually IPV6 in the next 18 months.  We are also increasing our aliases capabilities to deal with naming and security.  So i would put together a 12 month plan that has you testing your IPV6 strategy in 6 to 8 months with production planned for 12 months.