IPv6 has been gaining ground at protocol level for around 10 years. But what will it take for IPv6 to not only overtake the old protocol standard, but also replace it completely? Wilhelm Boeddinghaus, CEO of Route 128 GmbH and eco Internet expert, provides answers about IPv6 in an interview. On 13 March 2025, the eco IPv6 workshop in Berlin will offer further opportunities for discussion.
Why is the total switchover to IPv6 essential? Also from an economic perspective?
Wilhelm Boeddinghaus: The complete switchover to IPv6, and therefore the switch-off of IPv4, remains the major goal of IPv6 migration. If we were to stick to the âdual stackâ â i.e. parallel operation â the project would only go halfway â and as parallel operation is expensive and time-consuming, it should be avoided. This is because firewall rules have to be maintained for both protocols in such a case and the monitoring also has to cover both protocols. When troubleshooting, it is often not clear which of the protocols is the cause of the problems â the search for the error becomes much more complex.
So if you want to deploy modern networks, you should build them with IPv6 today and slowly switch off IPv4. Clearly structured networks are much easier to build, operate and secure with IPv6 than with IPv4. The keyword here is micro-segmentation. A well-divided network offers protection against attacks and can be operated cost-effectively. This is because it reduces complexity, requires fewer personnel and thus also minimises potential errors. However, only those who completely remove IPv4 from their networks can benefit from this advantage.
Why has the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 taken so long since its release in 1998? And what are the main drivers for its increasing use?
When developing IPv6, engineers were under the misconception that all public authorities and companies would recognise the technical benefits of IPv6 and switch over in droves. They underestimated the fact that these organisations are very business-driven and will not touch an IT project without a direct monetary benefit. When it comes to any investment, companies ultimately look at the impact on turnover and earnings. In this respect, IPv6 has had too few advantages for a long time. We are far behind expectations as a result.
In Germany, around 75 per cent of end users have IPv6 available. It makes sense for companies to at least upgrade their web server with IPv6 to give their customers the best possible access to their own services. IPv4 now costs money, e.g. in the AWS Cloud. This creates an additional incentive to use IPv6 and thus reduce costs.
Which industries or countries are already pioneering the switch to IPv6? How is Germany doing?
There are several countries that are actively promoting the enforcement of IPv6. In addition to Germany, these include the Czech Republic and Vietnam. The US government also supports IPv6 in its public authorities.
Most service providers and mobile communications providers have had IPv6 in their networks for a long time and are pioneers in this area. In Germany, the German federal government has launched an IPv6 programme and is actively promoting the introduction of IPv6. Unfortunately, the level of activity among small and medium-sized enterprises is not yet as high as one would wish.
What do you recommend to companies that have not yet completed the transition to IPv6?
IPv6 is a task for the entire IT organisation, not just for the network. Particular attention must be paid to the applications â these are often not yet IPv6-capable. In addition, a changeover to IPv6 can only succeed if the IT employees are well trained and understand IPv6. A great deal of emphasis should therefore be placed on training, test labs and self-study. Management must provide a dedicated budget for this.
It has proven to be a good idea to start small. A successful conversion of a sub-area of IT is a first success and shows that IPv6 works and does not disrupt operations.
What needs to happen for IPv6 to completely replace the old standard?
It is doubtful whether IPv4 will ever disappear completely. There are too many IoT devices that are very durable and can only handle IPv4. But these devices should at least be encapsulated in such a way that IPv4 is replaced across the board.
However, I am convinced that as soon as it becomes clear that IPv6 saves costs, saves money or increases IT security, IPv6 will replace the old IPv4 protocol across the board in the long term. Also, as the parallel operation of IPv4 and IPv6 is simply too expensive, companies will endeavour to decommission IPv4 of their own accord.
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How has the acceptance of the new protocol developed compared to 2023? Is there a need for a declared date from which IPv6 will be the default? For all those who want to delve deeper into the topic of switching to IPv6, it is worth attending ecoâs IPv6 workshop (in German) on 13 March 2025 in Berlin.
Find out more and register here!
