IPv6 & routers

[Bumpkin]

I noticed that router manufacture's have a few models that claim to be IPv6 ready.

Does this mean older routers will not be IPv6 compatible?

Most routers being sold today don't mention anything about IPv6. I was thinking about upgrading my old Linksys WRT54G to a IPv6 capable router unless I can find 3rd party firmware that will do the job.

Any information welcome.

 

[Qdos]

There aren't that many IPv6 ready routers on sale right now.

Those that are will seamlessly bridge the differences in IP bit address increments, but the vast majority of IPv4 routers may not get firmware updates outside their warranty periods as the vendors will of course want you to purchase a new model.

Some chipsets are not actually capable of handling the increased bits in IPv6 addresses, so there will never for any use for them other than as paperweights within the foreseeable future.

 

[Bumpkin]

Yeah, I thought I might have a future paperweight sitting on my desk.

It looks like there will be a big increase in router sales when IPv6 gets in full swing!

 

[Qdos]

Yes, they will be somewhat essential!

I can see a lot of unhappy "free router" ISP customers crawling out of the woodwork when they've discovered there's no firmware upgrade and very possibly no free hardware upgrade either...

ISP's can implement temporary translation workarounds, but these will not be 100% effective and nor will they be anything but temporary in nature...

Good take on it in the following article

What should I do if my ISP does not support IPv6?

 

[Bumpkin]

Now I'm worried.

"ISP's can implement temporary translation workarounds, but these will not be 100% effective and nor will they be anything but temporary in nature..."

The only ISP I can get is via satellite. After reading the link in your last post, maybe there is a workaround. Not much hope if they need to upgrade hardware on a satellite 22,000 miles out in space.

 

[Qdos]

I have a feeling IPv6 was designed as long ago as 2005 because it was known the IPv4 address pool was not infinite, so a huge number of ISP's will have geared up their own hardware in recent years (which probably includes space junk!) in order to adopt the changes with ease when the time comes...

You might want to check when that satellite was launched...