IPv6 Success Stories– Network Operators Tell All! Asela Galappattige (Sri Lanka Telecom); Senevi Herath (LEARN); Patrick Okui (Network Startup Resource Center); Matsuzaki Yoshinobu (IIJ) In this session, we invite network operators to share their IPv6 success stories and lessons learned along the way that can help other managers of networks deploy IPv6. How did they do it? What technical, organizational, and political challenges did they face? Attendees will gain vital insight as network operators lay out the stages for IPv6 implementation—creating the business case for management buy-in, initiating a planning process, flipping the switch, and, finally, gathering measurements and proving success.

1. Asela Galappattige
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC
ION Conference, SANOG25, 19th Jan 2015 Kandy, Sri Lanka
Deployment Strategies & Experiences
A Fixed Line Service Providers Perspective

2. Contents
1. About Sri Lanka Telecom PLC
2. IPv6 Adoption Path
3. IPv6 milestones
4. Strategy
5. Challenges
6. Strengths
7. Cost
8. Message

3. About Sri Lanka Telecom PLC
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) is the National ICT Solutions Provider and the leading
broadband and backbone infrastructure services provider in the country.
SLT Group has a customer base of over 06 million which comprise mostly of
the mobile user base of Mobitel.
SLT provides broadband access via ADSL2+, VDSL2, FTTX, WiFi, 3G and LTE.
 SLT also provides integrated solutions including Voice, IPTV, Networking,
Data Hosting, Managed Services and Cloud Computing.
 SLT operates the National Backbone Network (NBN)
 SLT is a partner of multiple important submarine optical cable systems
My focus here is only the Fixed Line service provider segment, which includes
half a million DSL, FTTX users, and the vast majority of corporate and carrier
services.
http://www.slt.lk/about-us/profile

4. IPv6 adoption path
SLT has selected to follow below natural path of evolution for
IPv6-ADOPTION;
1. Squeeze IPv4 usage by lean allocations to end users
2. Elongate IPv4 life span using CGNat
3. Deploy IPv6 in dual-stack environment
• with v4-v6 transition technologies
4. Phase out V4

5. IPv6 Milestones
• IPv6 assignment March-2008
• Enable Dual Stack in ISP Network June-2008
• First international peering established Aug-2008
• DNS, Web, Email trials 2008
• First IPv6 accessible web site launch 2008
• Tunnel services (manual) trials 2008
• Establish SLT IPv6 Task Force 2008
• Network and Systems audit 2008 onwards
• First customer connected Oct-2008
• ADSL CPEs requirement 2010
• National Working Group for IPv6 2011
• Local Internet Exchange IPv6 peering 2012
• SLT corporate site on IPv6 2014
• CGNAT implementation 2014
• Identify and resolve Policy Control issues 2014-2015
in Dual-Stack environment
• ADSL broadband testing 2012, 2015
• Finalize transition strategy for ADSL 2015

6. Strategy
 Adopt early and Lead
 Learn and Develop skills
 Implement gradually
 Enforce compliance for new infrastructure
 Evaluate and upgrade with minimum cost

7. Challenges
EXTERNAL
 Corporate segments
 No demand
 End user network elements and applications not ready
 Knowledge gap
 Consumer
 Un-availability of affordable IPv6 ready CPEs (ADSL)
 No demand
 Regulatory compliance
INTERNAL
 Technology readiness of new systems
 Network element upgrades for Routers, Firewalls, etc.
 Broadband policy control challenges in Dual Stack environment
 Transition technologies
 Training and development
 Focus from the top
 Log retention and data analysis
 Low end-to-end service levels via V6

8. Strengths
EXTERNAL
 Readiness of International peering/transit for dual stack
 Formation of National Working Committee with TRCSL
 Facilitation for training and knowledge sharing
 Ex: APNIC, SANOG, APRICOT, ISOC, APT
INTERNAL
 Early adoption and planning
 Formation of Internal Task Force
 Learning culture & facilitation of same
 Compatibility/Upgradability of majority of network elements/systems
 Enthusiasm and leadership of individuals

9. Costs
Direct Costs:
 IPv6 specific infrastructure investments
 Most network and systems capabilities available via software
updates
 Ipv6 is mandated for new network elements/systems/upgrades
 IPv6 transition capabilities – Delivered bundled with CGNAT
Other Costs:
Training and Development
Cost to sustain IPv4 growth – CGNAT

10. Message
 IPv6 just allows the growth to continue!
 IPv6 is not necessarily an expensive affair!
 Learn from others experiences!
 Identify your unique strategy!
 Adopt early and migrate gradually!

11. Thank You!