Book Review: Migrating to IPv6, Mark Blanchet

The subtitle of the book is "A Practical Guide to Implementing IPv6 in Mobile and Fixed Networks". This gives the reader some idea of what to expect in this book. The book is an out and out technical book filled with practical examples and scenarios for migration from the rapidly crowding IPv4 to a more spacious IPv6 addressing. The book is spread over twenty three chapters, a conclusion and a quick reference.

The book begins with a lucid discussion on the rationale for IPv6 due to the limitations of IPv4 aided by charts, figures and examples. In addition to the most understandable constriction of space reason, the author has beautifully brought out the other concerns in IPv4 such as the mandatory integration of IPsec layer with IPv6 and the difficulties of using network address translation to map multiple private internal IP addresses to a single external IP address. There are detailed descriptions of the IPv6 datagram, addressing in IPv6, DHCP, ICMP amongst others. Examples for configuring the DNS and address selection on various flavors of Unix and routers is explained lucidly. Two extensive chapters are devoted to routing and its configuration in IPv6 environment. One of the latest technologies using IP i.e. the concept of Mobile IP and the implications of using IPv6 in the implementation is discussed. In addition to the exhaustive coverage of topics such as Network Management, porting applications to IPv6 environments, configuration and usage of IPv6-enabled open Source Software, there is also discussion on the best current practices and case studies, description and solutions in various deployment scenarios.

The discussion goes across the layers of the OSI model by comparing IPv6 with IPv4 without going through the reintroduction of IPv4 assuming the readers' familiarity with Ipv4. The assumption is very valid considering the profile of the intended audience. Except for the beginning students in networking and computer science, this would not be a big hindrance for the professionals.

In addition to being technically comprehensive and relevant, the author has tackled the concerns of the practicing computer and networking professional interested in IPv6 in an absorbing manner. The book will definitely be a part of the toolkit of the practitioners when the eventual large-scale migration of Pv4 addressing to IPv6 starts gathering momentum.