IPv6 is the next generation of the Internet Protocol (IP) address standard that will supplement and eventually replace IPv4, the protocol many Internet services still use today.

The Internet Society is highly involved in all aspects of IPv6, from its ongoing technical work in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to increasing its real-world deployment with the help of our Deploy360 Programme.

Deploy360 provides hands on, technical deployment information to network operators responsible for implementing new technologies and standards on their own networks.

Most of our IPv6 work is found directly in the Deploy360 IPv6 section. See the Featured Resources box above for a quick start.

IPv6 News

Divided Internet could lead to fewer economic opportunities and more security threats, say panellists
The Straits Times logo
In the News 25 October 2022

Divided Internet could lead to fewer economic opportunities and more security threats, say panellists

THE STRAITS TIMES
Accelerating digital transformation with IPv6 migration offers Kenya huge potential
The Exchange logo
In the News 30 September 2022

Accelerating digital transformation with IPv6 migration offers Kenya huge potential

The Exchange
Africa dragging its heels on IPv6 migration
ITWeb Africa logo
In the News 22 September 2022

Africa dragging its heels on IPv6 migration

IT Web Africa
Bridging the IPv6 skills gap
IDG-Connect-logo
In the News 1 August 2022

Bridging the IPv6 skills gap

IDG Connect
Kenya’s tech regulator issues ultimatum on IPv6 migration
ITWeb-logo
In the News 14 July 2022

Kenya’s tech regulator issues ultimatum on IPv6 migration

ITWeb
Ten years of IPv6 and how it’s changed the internet [Q&A]
betanews logo
In the News 13 July 2022

Ten years of IPv6 and how it’s changed the internet [Q&A]

betanews

Resources

World IPv6 Launch and World IPv6 Day

World IPv6 Launch badge (transparent)

2011 – World IPv6 Day – the “24-hour test”

On June 8, 2011, top websites and Internet service providers around the world, including GoogleFacebookYahoo!Akamai and Limelight Networks joined together with more than 1000 other participating websites in World IPv6 Day for a successful global-scale trial of the new Internet Protocol, IPv6.

By providing a coordinated 24-hour “test flight”, the event helped demonstrate that major websites around the world were well-positioned for the move to a global IPv6-enabled Internet.

2012 – World IPv6 Launch

One year later on June 6, 2012, (“6/6” in most date systems), thousands of website operators, network operators, and device manufacturers came together to declare that IPv6 is “the new normal” and that their sites, networks and devices would operate over IPv6 from that point forward.

A record of that event can be found on the site: https://www.worldipv6launch.org/

In the years since the 2012 launch the growth of IPv6 usage continues at a strong rate. You can view ongoing statistics at:

IPv6 is now the new normal – and the resources found here on our site can help you make sure your networks and systems work with today’s IPv6 Internet.

6th Anniversary of World IPv6 Launch

On June 6th, on the sixth anniversary of World IPv6 Launch, we shared an updated report on the State of IPv6 Deployment in 2018. It really is staggering how far IPv6 deployment has progressed in six years.

To help showcase the progress made in the six years since World IPv6 Launch we are sharing:

– an updated report on the State of IPv6 Deployment 2018
– an infographic that clearly shows the scale and scope of IPv6 deployment
– and a fun quiz for you to test and share your knowledge of the State of IPv6 Deployment

Read more

On the sixth anniversary, Vint Cerf, co-designer of the TCP/IP protocol and a “Father of the Internet”, sent us this video message to share with you all: