IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6 and it is the all new version of how computers will communicate on the Internet (some computers already speak the IPv6 protocol, as do some web sites). With the last of the IPv4 address space about to run out in late 2011, any new devices, computers or web sites connecting to the Internet after that date will now connecting via IPv6.  IPv6 has been designed to handle the growth of the internet, for 100’s of more years – and is the standard going forward that websites, and online businesses need to be ready for.

This means that new cell phones, and home computers as well as web sites will soon be be only on the IPv6 address space.  In order for these new devices to communicate and talk to the ‘old internet’ that resides on IPv4 a sort of proxy system will be created by service providers to connect their subscribers to who need to reach the ‘old’ IPv4 internet web sites of online destinations.  The problem with this is that by forcing everyone through a proxy to ‘gateway’ to the old network, will create bottlenecks and lower quality service (as well as security issues for ecommerce enabled web sites).  So to avoid this congestion on the 1-lane exit ramp between IPv6 and IPv4, what you need to do is make sure your web site or dedicated web server has both an IPv4 AND IPv6 ip address assigned to it.

If you ignore IPv6, or are with a web hosting company that doesn’t support IPv6, you are going to jeaporadize client relationships, and lost sales.  If you don’t connect your web site or dedicated web server to the IPv6 network you will force your online visitors coming from the next generation IPv6 network to go through those IPv4 proxy aggregation choke points, and force your potential and current customers into a lower quality (and less secure) experience reaching your online business.

So, is your web site ready for IPv6?  If the answer is “no” or “I don’t know”, you need to get started with IPv6.  Many of you probably still remember the countdown to Year 2000, and the great computer glitch that never came.  Well IPv6 is coming, and it will be in 2011 and 2012 that everyone will be forced into that reality, you better be ready for it.  The good news is it only takes a few minutes, and no disruption to your web site to enable it for IPv6.

To get your web site ready for IPv6 doesn’t take a lot, you need to contact your datacenter and/or web hosting provider and make sure they are IPv6 ready.  If they are not yet IPv6 ready, you have a bigger challenge ahead, as you have to wait until they get ready.   Internet providers have to upgrade their routing infrastrcuture, put in special software, and train their staff, as well as spend a lot of time configuring their network to be ready for IPv6.  If your internet provider hasn’t done this, it’s getting late in the ball game so you should call and ask when they will be ready.  If they answer “we don’t know”, its time to find another web hosting provider before 2011 hits.

If you are with  web  hosting provider that is IPv6 enabled then the next step is pretty easy, contact them and order an IPv6 ip adddress for your web site or server.  Due to the added time/configuration and labor of the new IPv6 network it’s likely the web hosting provider may charge you a small feel for the setup or small monthly fee, but then you can rest asured you are ready for the future.

Once your web site has its IPv6 address (which may looks a little strange, for instance www.turnkeyinternet.net  as the following ‘IPv6’ address:  2064:7c00::1 ) but the good news is you don’t have to remember those strange looking IPv6 addresses.  The wonderfull world of domain names and dns settings has already long since solved this since the early 1990’s when IPv6 was first concieved.  You simply need to add an “AAAA” record in your dns for your web site pointing at your new IPv6 address, and that’s it!  Your traditional web site IPv4 address already has a domin name “A” record – so by simply adding this “AAAA” record for your domain name, you now will be both IPv4 and IPv6 enabled and ready for the future.    This means that if someone types in www.yoursitename.com if they are connected to an IPv6 network, they will get your IPv6 address and route there directly.  If someone is on the old IPv4 and type in www.yoursitename.com they will get the IPv4 address and go straight there. In no way will either party have to go through a proxy or congested IPv6 to IPv4 system – and your online business will perform at it’s best no matter which network your web visitors are traveling from!