Is global IPv6 deployment on track?

Purpose - The main aim of this paper is to focus on a big step for IPv6: deployment. At the same time, it aims to issue a warning about something that should be in a more evolved stage. Design/methodology/approach - A multiple-angle analysis about IPv6 deployment was used: breaking some myths, looking at deployment data and trying to relate to IPv4's deployment. Findings - The paper finds that IPv6 deployment is not yet on track. Comparison between IPv6 and IPv4 network performance is negative. Research limitations/implications - Numbers and policy analysis described in this paper will naturally evolve and thus will need to be revisited in future work. This theme will be progressively more important as IPv4 address space becomes exhausted. Practical implications - More IPv6 deployment is needed, in order to ensure Internet's continued growth. In order to become a viable solution for the global Internet, IPv6 deployment must be seen as a priority for network administrators today. Originality/value - This paper's content may alert some players to the needed effort associated with the Internet's evolution. Other audiences will benefit from the data and details discussed, in order to gain confidence about deploying IPv6.