IPv6 Learning Roadmap

Updated: March 30, 2011

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

Support for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), the new suite of standard protocols for the Network layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite, is built into the latest versions of Microsoft Windows, which include Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

IPv6 is designed to solve many of the problems of the current version of IP (known as IPv4) such as address depletion, security, autoconfiguration, and extensibility. Its use will also expand the capabilities of the Internet and enable a variety of valuable and exciting scenarios, including peer-to-peer and mobile applications.

If you are new to IPv6, this topic can help you identify what you need to learn to fully understand IPv6, from addressing to protocol and process details to application development. It includes prerequisite topics that cover a variety of TCP/IP fundamentals. You must understand the prerequisite topics first, because IPv6 builds upon them and assumes an understanding of them. Afterwards, you can begin learning about IPv6 through the resources in the Level 100 (introductory), 200 (intermediate), and 300 (advanced) sections.

We recommend that you read the topics in the order listed.

  • Prerequisites

  • Level 100

  • Level 200

  • Level 300

Prerequisites

This section contains links to a variety of resources for the background information you need to fully understand IPv6.

Level 100

The following resources contain introductory information about IPv6 in Microsoft Windows.

Level 200

The following resources contain intermediate information about IPv6 in Microsoft Windows.

Level 300

The following resources contain advanced information about IPv6 in Microsoft Windows.

Additional Resources

IPv6 TechNet web page (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=71543)

To share your suggestions for resources to help others learn about IPv6, see Community Suggestions for Ramping up on IPv6 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=214818).