To work with IPv6 on your network, it is indeed necessary that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers support for this protocol, since you need to obtain a range of IPv6 addresses that you can use and manage within your network.

We explain some important points about this process:

1. Check with your ISP

The first thing you should do is check if your current Internet provider offers IPv6 connectivity. Not all ISPs have implemented IPv6, although many large providers already have, especially in areas where IPv4 addresses are more saturated.

2. Acquisition of IPv6 Addresses

If your ISP supports IPv6, it will assign you a block of IPv6 addresses. Unlike IPv4, where addresses are more limited and often assigned individually, with IPv6 you generally receive a considerably large block (for example, a /48 or /56 prefix) that you can subdivide for different segments of your network.

3. Equipment Configuration

You will need to ensure that your network devices (routers, switches, firewalls) and end systems (computers, servers, mobile devices) support IPv6. This may require updating firmware or software, or in some cases, purchasing new hardware.

4. Changing Network Settings

Implementing IPv6 not only involves activating the protocol, but also properly configuring your network to correctly use IPv6 addresses. This includes adjusting routers, security systems, DNS, and other network services to handle the new protocol.

5. Dual Stack Support

Many networks operate in “Dual Stack” mode, where both IPv4 and IPv6 are active simultaneously. This allows for a smooth transition, since not all parts of the Internet support IPv6 yet. You will need to configure your systems to handle both protocols until IPv6 is universally adopted.

6. Security Considerations

With IPv6, some security considerations change significantly from IPv4. For example, the security model for IPv6 must take into account the absence of NAT (Network Address Translation), which in IPv4 offers a rudimentary layer of security by hiding internal IP addresses.

Conclusion

If you want to start working with IPv6, you must first confirm and possibly sign up for IPv6 support with your ISP. Once you have been assigned an IPv6 address range, a series of technical and configuration steps will need to be carried out to successfully integrate this protocol into your existing network.