When starting out with IPv6, it is helpful to plan out how you are going to allocate your IPv6 addresses across your various networks and subnets. Reasons for creating an IPv6 address plan include:
- Routing tables can be smaller and more efficient
- Security policies can be easier to implement
- Application policies can be implemented
- Network management/provisioning can be easier
- Troubleshooting can be easier, particularly with visual identification
- Easier scaling as more devices or locations are added
We have several resources available to assist you in thinking about and creating an IPv6 Address Plan:
- IPv6 Address Planning: Guidelines for IPv6 address allocation
- SURFnet: Preparing an IPv6 Address Plan
- Slides: IPv6 Address Planning
Additionally, the folks involved with the North American Network Operators Group (NANOG) developed a Best Current Operational Practice (BCOP) document on this topic:
As far as obtaining IPv6 addresses, your best place to start is with contacting your Internet Service Provider (ISP) who provides your Internet access. If you are with an ISP or a large network operator, you will need to contact your Regional Internet Registry (RIR) to find out their process for obtaining IPv6 address blocks.
If your ISP is not able to provide you with IPv6 addresses and you are not eligible to obtain IPv6 addresses from an RIR you will need to explore one of the IPv6 transition mechanisms such as tunneling.