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Chapter 1: Getting Started

Foundation and Planning Phase

This chapter covers the critical foundation phase of the IPv6 migration, providing the Master Reference Card — your comprehensive quick-reference guide for all architectural decisions, addressing schemes, routing protocols, and migration patterns — plus the detailed Week 1 planning activities that establish the groundwork for successful deployment.

Chapter Contents

Master Reference Card

Your Complete IPv6 Migration Quick Reference

The Master Reference Card is the single-source-of-truth document containing:

  • Addressing Architecture: Complete IPv6 prefix hierarchy for all 19 sites (APAC/EMEA/Americas)
  • Routing Protocols: OSPFv3, EIGRP IPv6, BGP IPv6 configuration patterns
  • Migration Phases: SD-WAN underlay, SD-Access overlay, multi-cloud, UC, observability, security
  • NAT64/DNS64: IPv6-to-IPv4 translation for legacy application connectivity
  • Technology Matrix: Feature support across SD-WAN, SD-Access, ISE, DNAC, Webex
  • Troubleshooting: Common issues, debugging commands, verification procedures
  • ACL Translation: IPv4 to IPv6 access-list migration patterns

Use this document throughout your migration — it contains the addressing schemes, protocol configurations, and migration patterns referenced in all subsequent chapters.

Week 1: Planning, Addressing & Tooling

5-Day Foundation Sprint

Week 1 establishes the infrastructure foundation before any production device configuration:

Day 1: IPv6 Prefix Planning and ARIN Allocation

  • Calculate required IPv6 space for 19 sites, cloud, IoT, and future growth
  • Submit ARIN request for /44 or /40 prefix allocation
  • Document addressing hierarchy and site-specific allocations

Day 2: IPAM Configuration and Addressing Spreadsheet

  • Configure Catalyst Center (DNAC) IPAM for IPv6 pool management
  • Create master IPv6 allocation spreadsheet (sites, VRFs, VLANs, cloud)
  • Assign /48 prefixes to all 19 sites with /64 subnet breakdowns

Day 3: Lab Environment Setup and Testing

  • Deploy lab topology in CML or DevNet sandbox
  • Test dual-stack configurations on virtual routers and switches
  • Validate LISP/VXLAN IPv6 overlay, OSPFv3, BGP IPv6

Day 4: Production Tooling Preparation

  • DNAC: Enable IPv6 support, create address pools, configure telemetry
  • ISE: Add IPv6 device IPs to network device groups, update policies
  • vManage: Prepare IPv6 feature templates for WAN edge routers
  • Monitoring: Configure ThousandEyes IPv6 tests, Splunk IPv6 log collection

Day 5: Readiness Assessment and Go/No-Go Decision

  • Complete infrastructure readiness checklist (100% completion required)
  • Stakeholder sign-off on addressing plan and migration timeline
  • Schedule Phase 1 kickoff meeting for Week 2 Mumbai hub deployment

Deliverables

By the end of Chapter 1, you will have:

✅ Master Reference Card — Complete architectural documentation and quick reference

✅ ARIN IPv6 Allocation — Assigned /44 or /40 prefix for enterprise use

✅ IPAM Configuration — Catalyst Center IPv6 pools and address tracking

✅ Validated Lab Topology — Dual-stack configurations tested in non-production environment

✅ Tooling Readiness — DNAC, ISE, vManage, and monitoring platforms IPv6-enabled

✅ Stakeholder Approval — Go/no-go decision for Phase 1 deployment

Prerequisites

Before starting Chapter 1, ensure you have:

  • Organizational approval for IPv6 migration and budget allocation
  • ARIN account with authority to request IPv6 address space
  • Lab environment access (CML, DevNet sandbox, or equivalent virtualization)
  • Management platform credentials (DNAC, ISE, vManage, ThousandEyes, Splunk)
  • Network inventory complete (all sites, device counts, VLAN structures)

Key Concepts

IPv6 Prefix Sizing:

  • /48 per site — Standard enterprise site allocation (65,536 /64 subnets)
  • /64 per subnet — Individual VLAN/segment allocation (recommended)
  • /44 or /40 for enterprise — Supports 16-256 sites with room for growth

Dual-Stack Migration:

  • Simultaneous IPv4/IPv6 — Both protocols operational during transition
  • IPv6-preferred routing — Applications attempt IPv6 first, fallback to IPv4
  • NAT64/DNS64 — Bridge IPv6-only clients to IPv4-only services

IPAM Strategy:

  • Centralized allocation — Single source of truth for all address assignments
  • Hierarchy enforcement — Regional/site/function-based prefix structure
  • Reservation tracking — Document future allocations (IoT, cloud expansion)

Next Steps

After completing Chapter 1:

  1. Proceed to Chapter 2: SD-WAN Foundation — Begin Week 2 with Mumbai hub deployment
  2. Keep the Master Reference Card accessible — You'll reference it throughout the migration
  3. Maintain IPAM discipline — All address assignments must be tracked and documented

Ready to start? Begin with the Master Reference Card →