Considerations for Transitioning Content to IPv6
RFC 6589

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Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)                      J. Livingood
Request for Comments: 6589                                       Comcast
Category: Informational                                       April 2012
ISSN: 2070-1721

            Considerations for Transitioning Content to IPv6

Abstract

   This document describes considerations for the transition of end-user
   content on the Internet to IPv6.  While this is tailored to address
   end-user content, which is typically web-based, many aspects of this
   document may be more broadly applicable to the transition to IPv6 of
   other applications and services.  This document explores the
   challenges involved in the transition to IPv6, potential migration
   tactics, possible migration phases, and other considerations.  The
   audience for this document is the Internet community generally,
   particularly IPv6 implementers.

Status of This Memo

   This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is
   published for informational purposes.

   This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
   (IETF).  It represents the consensus of the IETF community.  It has
   received public review and has been approved for publication by the
   Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).  Not all documents
   approved by the IESG are a candidate for any level of Internet
   Standard; see Section 2 of RFC 5741.

   Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
   and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
   http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6589.

Livingood                     Informational                     [Page 1]
RFC 6589              Transitioning Content to IPv6           April 2012

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2012 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
   (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
   publication of this document.  Please review these documents
   carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
   to this document.  Code Components extracted from this document must
   include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
   the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
   described in the Simplified BSD License.

Livingood                     Informational                     [Page 2]
RFC 6589              Transitioning Content to IPv6           April 2012

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................4
   2. Challenges When Transitioning Content to IPv6 ...................4
      2.1. IPv6-Related Impairment ....................................5
      2.2. Operational Maturity Concerns ..............................5
      2.3. Volume-Based Concerns ......................................5
   3. IPv6 Adoption Implications ......................................6
   4. Potential Migration Tactics .....................................6
      4.1. Solving Current End-User IPv6 Impairments ..................7
      4.2. Using IPv6-Specific Names ..................................8
      4.3. Implementing DNS Resolver Whitelisting .....................8
           4.3.1. How DNS Resolver Whitelisting Works ................11
           4.3.2. Similarities to Content Delivery Networks
                  and Global Server Load Balancing ...................15
           4.3.3. Similarities to DNS Load Balancing .................15
           4.3.4. Similarities to Split DNS ..........................15
           4.3.5. Related Considerations .............................16
      4.4. Implementing DNS Blacklisting .............................17
      4.5. Transitioning Directly to Native Dual Stack ...............18
   5. Potential Implementation Phases ................................19
      5.1. No Access to IPv6 Content .................................19
      5.2. Using IPv6-Specific Names .................................19
      5.3. Deploying DNS Resolver Whitelisting Using Manual
           Processes .................................................19
      5.4. Deploying DNS Resolver Whitelisting Using
           Automated Processes .......................................19
      5.5. Turning Off DNS Resolver Whitelisting .....................20
      5.6. Deploying DNS Blacklisting ................................20
      5.7. Fully Dual-Stack Content ..................................20
   6. Other Considerations ...........................................20
      6.1. Security Considerations ...................................20
      6.2. Privacy Considerations ....................................21
      6.3. Considerations with Poor IPv4 and Good IPv6 Transport .....22
   7. Contributors ...................................................23