In my first post on IPv6 peering, I provided some sample questions for your ISP and discussed considerations for the physical implementation.  After the physical details have been worked out, the next step is how to set up the control plane so that routing information can be exchanged.  From a routing perspective, most providers prefer that you peer with them either using BGP or static routing.  Static routing is typically used for single, homed organizations that do not want or need a dynamic routing capability.  In this case, the organization has a default route to the ISP, and the ISP distributes the organizational routes via the ISP BGP process.

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Tags: Internet edge, IPv6, ISP, Peering, Service Provider

Today, many organizations are focusing on how to integrate IPv6 services into their Internet edge. The World IPv6 Launch has come and gone with over 3000 sites now IPv6-enabled.  In addition, the US government has directed that all agencies must enable their Internet facing services for IPv6 by October 1st, 2012. These drivers are pushing organizations to take a harder look at how to approach IPv6 integration.  My next couple of posts will examine how to interface with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The Internet edge is the point in your network where your organization will interface with the IPv6 Internet, and it is how customers will access your services. It is important that your ISP have the same Service Level Agreement (SLA) as your IPv4 point of attachment. After all, you are going to be running your business over both IPv4 and IPv6 for quite some time. To ensure that your ISP’s IPv6 services meet your business and technical requirements, I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask. The questions are grouped along the lines of how IPv6 is physically delivered, how the control plane is handled, and the services that are offered. The following are several example questions:

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Tags: Internet edge, IPv6, ISP, Peering, Service Provider