Chapter 15. Deploying IPv6 in an Enterprise Network

The first part of the book describes the IPv6 technology in a way that enables you to configure and manage it in your own environment. Chapter 13, "Deploying IPv6 in an MPLS Service Provider Network," and Chapter 14, "Deploying IPv6 in an IP Service Provider Network," apply this knowledge to examples of IPv6 deployments in service provider networks. This chapter focuses on the main steps to integrate IPv6 services in an enterprise network. It is not an exhaustive list because drivers, requirements, and scenarios vary considerably between the various types of enterprises from commercial to industrial market segments, described in RFC 4057, IPv6 Enterprise Network Scenarios. This chapter provides a practical example of running an IPv6 trial on an enterprise infrastructure followed by basic guidelines to go through the process of designing, implementing, and moving the IPv6 services to full production. The topics covered include the following:

• Introduction of AC Corporation business and current networking infrastructure

• Business drivers to evaluate IPv6 benefits

• Starting an IPv6 trial

• Planning for IPv6 integration

• Moving IPv6 to production

• Future evolutions

This chapter provides solutions to the generic challenges that every enterprise faces when deploying IPv6.