IPB177 - Introducing the IPv6 Compatibility Checker

The Hexabuild team is providing a new community resource, an IPv6 compatibility checker, for those trying to figure out IPv6 network hardware and software compatibility. It’s currently in an alpha version. We talk about what inspired it, what it does, and possible future updates. We also want to get your feedback on whether this is useful and something we should continue to expand. It’s far from perfect, but it is a start.

IPB176 - How to Number Point-to-Point Links

Point to point link addressing. One would think it to be a simple formula…but alas, like everything else, there are strong opinions and lots of options. In this episode, we chat about point-to-point links. We cover what should and shouldn’t be done, and discuss why following RFC’s doesn’t always get you to the right place. We dig into questions including, but not limited to Don’t we just use link-local addresses for point-to-points?

IPB175 - IPv6 Basics - Link-Local Addresses

Returning with more IPv6 basics, we dive deep into that often overlooked and frequently ignored address family - link-local addresses. Link-local addresses are unicast addresses used for addressing on a single link. The intent of link-local addresses is to let devices that may not have a router or global unicast address allocation mechanism still be able to communicate on a network segment. On today’s show we dig into how link-local addresses work, what to do with them, potential issues with link-local addresses, and more.

IPB174 - How Enterprise IPv6 Requirements Are Shaping Microsoft Windows

On this episode of IPv6 Buzz, we have a very special guest, Tommy Jensen, a Senior Technical PM Strategist at Microsoft who is on to speak with us about IPv6 support in Windows. Tommy shares what he hears from enterprises that are moving toward IPv6-mostly, strategies for dealing with older applications and devices that expect IPv4, and how the customer conversations he’s having about IPv6 now are more engaged and serious compared to a few years ago.

IPB173 - The IPv6 Test Pod Project

I was very excited for this episode. James Harr, a fellow engineer from the research and education community came up with a great project called the IPv6-Pod, which was initially funded by ARIN. It aims to provide a simple way to test software and services to see if they work in a variety of IPv6 environments, including v6-only, dual-stack, and others? This project provides a device, at no cost to the applicant, that comes with a variety of v6 test networks.

IPB172 - IPv6 SMB - Listener Questions

Listener comments and questions are always interesting. In this episode we talk through some listeners questions that have come in via the Follow Up on packetpushers.net. We cover questions regarding IPv6 for small businesses, then go even smaller and answer a question about IPv6 for home networks. Lastly, we have a quick discussion about Path MTU discovery with IPv6 (spoiler: we’re planning a whole episode on this topic in the future).

IPB171 - IPv6 Basics - Routing

A subject after my own heart. Continuing the IPv6 Basics series with an episode on IPv6 routing essentials. We start with a comparison of various routing protocols: RIP, OSPF, IS-IS, EGP, and BGP. We look at pros and cons of each, and discuss challenges such as dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 network implementation, memory and resource use with IPv6, and link local addresses. Take a listen here:

IPB170 - RFC 7050 vs RFC 8781 for IPv6 Prefix Discovery

In this episode of the IPv6 Buzz, we dive into two RFCs for discovering IPv6 prefixes: RFC7050 and RFC8781. Why these two? First, 8781 is being proposed as preferential to 7050. Second, I happen to be a co-author on the draft that proposes the preference for 8781 and as usual, I have “insights” to share. We start with some background on RFC 7050, including the limitations that led to the development of RFC 8781.

IPB169 - 10 Years of the UK IPv6 Council

The UK IPv6 Council is one of the longest running non-profit technology user groups promoting and sharing best practices on IPv6 deployment and adoption. On this episode of IPv6-Buzz we speak with Veronika McKillop, President of the UK IPv6 Council about their 10 year history and what is planned for the future.

IPB168 - Deploying IPv6-Only Wi-Fi at the SC24 Conference

I’ve written and talked about SCinet many times in the past. As a 20 year emeritus engineer having worked within every group within SCinet, this was a really personally satisfying podcast for me. In this episode of IP Buzz, we talk through the details of deploying IPv6 mostly as defined by RFC 8925 with Tom Costello of Argonne National Lab. Listen here or subscribe at the link above.

IPB167 - Crossing the 50% IPv6 Adoption Threshold

Well! New year, new podcast. I’ve been fortunate enough to move from “most frequent guest” to full-on co-host of IPv6Buzz, and I am pretty freakin’ stoked if I am being completely honest! We’re out of the gate with a bang, too. This first podcast of 2025 (and first with me as a co-host) is diving right in with some bold predictions: IPv6 adoption should cross 50% in 2025. We discuss the implications and significance of IPv6 adoption reaching this milestone.