ESnet - a production IPv6 network

In anticipation of the scalability problems with IPv4 (the current Internet Protocol), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has produced a comprehensive set of specifications that define the next generation Internet Protocol known as IPv6.

ESnet has a long history with IPv6 - ESnet participated extensively in early IPv6 testing and deployment, and received the first production IPv6 address allocation in July 1999. ESnet declared IPv6 to be a fully supported production service in August 2002. ESnet's web, mail and DNS servers are fully IPv6 capable, and ESnet staff use IPv6 for routine tasks every day.

ESnet IPv6 Services

ESnet has several services available to aid in the deployment of IPv6 by ESnet sites. These include IPv6 address space, open source software mirrors available via IPv6, and IPv6 time servers. ESnet engineers maintain full global IPv6 connectivity, just as for IPv4.

• To request IPv6 address space for an ESnet site, the ESnet site coordinator should contact ESnet through established channels - IPv6 service is available to any ESnet site that requests it
• ESnet maintains open-access IPv6-enabled open source software mirrors - please see the mirror server documentation for details
• Instructions on using ESnet IPv6 time servers are available to site coordinators
• IPv6 is fully supported by the ESnet NOC and engineering staff

ESnet IPv6 Peering

ESnet has an IPv6 presence at several commercial and Research and Education exchanges. Please see our peering page for more information.

ESnet IPv6 History

ESnet was an early participant in the 6bone IPv6 testbed project, and provided overall management for the 6bone until the 6bone was decommissioned. ESnet also received the first production IPv6 address allocation in July 1999. More information is available on our IPv6 history page.