IPv6

Microsoft supports industry-standard technologies including the new standard protocol for the Internet, Internet Protocol version 6 (also known as IPv6), which is the next step beyond IPv4, the current standard protocol for the Internet. These protocols provide IP addresses, the "phone numbers" for the Internet that are responsible for identifying computers and devices so they can communicate.

IPv4 provides around 4 billion IP addresses. IPv4 addresses are increasingly scarce as more and more devices connect to the Internet. IPv6 expands the address space on the Internet from 32 bits to 128 bits. This enables essentially an unlimited number of IP addresses and subsequently, an unlimited number of devices that can be directly connected to the global Internet. IPv6 is also designed to solve many of the problems of IPv4, including mobility, autoconfiguration, and overall extensibility.

Microsoft and other major technology companies have been working behind the scenes for years to deliver a smooth transition from IPv4 to IPv6, in effect an upgrade of the entire Internet, and we continue to lead in the development of this new standard. Microsoft has been developing IPv6 for many years, with IPv6 support built into Microsoft Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Microsoft is committed to expanding the worldwide capabilities of the Internet through IPv6 and enabling a variety of valuable and exciting scenarios, including peer-to-peer and mobile applications.

World IPv6 Launch: January 17, 2012

On January 17, 2012, Microsoft and other members of the Internet Society (ISOC) announced the World IPv6 Launch, the kickoff of a broad industry effort to permanently enable the next generation Internet Protocol (IPv6).

Business Resources

• Microsoft's Objectives for IP Version 6
  This Web page provides an overview of the key capabilities and strategies for deployment that forms the foundation of Microsoft's past, current, and future work.
• Development and Deployment of IPv6: Good for Internet, Technology
  This Microsoft technology position paper describes how working IPv6 networks and devices will be steadily increasing as the IT industry, consumers, and businesses migrate from IPv4 to IPv6.
• Enabling the Next Generation of Networking with End-to-End IPv6
  This joint Microsoft and Juniper Networks white paper looks at the changing expectations of IPv6 with the growth of IPv6-enabled applications like Microsoft Windows Meeting Space in Windows Vista.
• Bechtel Well Positioned to Serve Customers by Using Microsoft and Cisco IPv6 Solution
  This case study describes how the Bechtel Corporation deployed IPv6 with Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Cisco Systems, Inc. hardware and realized big returns from a modest investment.

Technical Resources

• Understanding IPv6, Second Edition
  This Microsoft Press book describes IPv6 concepts, protocols, and processes in detail and explains how IPv6 is supported in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
• Understanding IPv6
  This Microsoft Press book describes IPv6 concepts, protocols, and processes in detail and explains how IPv6 is supported in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Download Updates to Understanding IPv6 to learn of IPv6 developments that have occurred since publication of this book.
• Introduction to IP Version 6
  This paper provides a technical foundation of Internet standards-based IPv6 concepts and protocols.
• IPv6 Transition Technologies
  This paper describes the Intra-site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP), 6to4, and Teredo IPv6 transition technologies and how they are supported in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista.
• Using IPv6 and Teredo
  This article describes how the combination of IPv6, Teredo, and Windows Firewall provides enhanced connectivity and protection from malicious IPv6 traffic.
• IPv6 Security Considerations and Recommendations
  This article describes security considerations for IPv6 and Microsoft’s recommendations and best practices.
• Domain Name System Client Behavior in Windows Vista
  This article describes the Domain Name System (DNS) query and registration behavior for computers running Windows Vista.
• Intra-site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol Deployment Guide
  This paper describes how to deploy the Intra-site Automatic Tunnel Addressing Protocol (ISATAP) IPv6 transition technology for test labs and for temporary connectivity on an existing IPv4-only intranet.
• Michael Surkan: Introduction to IPv6
  In this Channel 9 Forums webcast, Microsoft Program Manager Michael Surkan describes why IPv6 matters and how it represents the future of the Internet.
• Mike Barrett: Testing and Deploying IPv6
  In this Channel 9 Forums webcast, Microsoft Software Design Engineer in Test Mike Barrett describes how to test and deploy IPv6.
• Using Windows Tools to Obtain IPv6 Configuration Information
  This article describes how you can use Windows command-line tools to obtain IPv6 configuration details.

Developer Resources

• Can Applications Benefit From IPv6?
  This TechNet article describes how Windows Meeting Space in Windows Vista gains many advantages from its use of IPv6.
• IPv6 Guide for Windows Sockets Applications
  This Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) guide helps you update a Windows Sockets-based application to use either IPv4 or IPv6.
• What's New for Windows Sockets
  Windows Sockets (Winsock) programming elements have been updated to extend the capability of Winsock, to simplify certain tasks associated with Winsock programming, and to provide IPv6 compatibility.
• Network Programming for Microsoft Windows, Second Edition
  This Microsoft Press book describes how to do network programming for the Windows platform, including how to use the new Windows Socket functions so that applications can use either IPv4 or IPv6.
• Network Programming for the Microsoft .NET Framework
  This Microsoft Press book describes how to do network programming, including IPv6, using the .NET Framework.
• Mike Flasko and Anthony Jones: Winsock and .NET Protocol Agnostic Development
  In this Channel 9 Forums webcast, Microsoft Program Manager Mike Flasko and Software Development Engineer Anthony Jones describe how to develop Windows Sockets and .NET applications that work for both IPv4 and IPv6.
• IPv6 Support in Home Routers
  This article provides recommendations for an IPv6 feature set for home routers that are compatible with scenarios supported by the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.

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