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IPv6 is a version of Internet Protocol designed to supplement and eventually succeed IPv4. Although the main driving force for the creation and adoption of IPv6 is the inevitable exhaustion of the IPv4 address space, IPv6 also offers additional features and enhancements such as integrated network security and mobility support.

Rensselaer currently has full IPv6 interconnectivity across its I1 and I2 connections, and has deployed dual stack support on the internal network across campus. This dual stack implementation allows an end host to implement both IPv4 and IPv6 independently, or in a hybrid form, dependent on the operating system. These dual stack systems have access to all IPv6 content available on the Internet, as well as traditional IPv4 content.

Rensselaer participated in World IPv6 Day on June 8, 2011 and World IPv6 Launch on June 6, 2012.

Rensselaer expects to support dual stack systems for many years to come, but is looking at and testing other transition technologies for possible future use, including proxying and translation for IPv6-only hosts.

Ultimately, the main goal of this implementation, in particular for end users, is that IPv6 deployment and transition on campus should be transparent and not affect normal operations or connectivity.

If you have any questions regarding IPv6 and its implementation, please contact Senior Network Engineer Colleen Morrissey.

Last modified: June 26, 2012