Q: What is World IPv6 Day?
A: World IPv6 Day, taking place on June 8, 2011, is a day when many companies that have a major presence on the Internet are going to allow people to connect to their networks using IPv6, a next-generation Internet protocol. Blizzard will be participating in this event by enabling a select number of World of Warcraft realms to be accessible using IPv6. For more information on World IPv6 Day, see
http://isoc.org/wp/worldipv6day/.
Q: What does Blizzard hope to accomplish by taking part in IPv6 day?
A: Before the Internet can fully support IPv6, a great deal of preparation and effort is required to deploy the infrastructure upgrades necessary. Internet providers will need to update routers and back-end services, software companies will need to update their software, and consumers will need to update their home routers. Since the number of available IP addresses under IPv4 has reached its limit, adoption of IPv6 is likely to accelerate significantly over the next year. World IPv6 day is designed as a small step toward upgrading to IPv6, and we view it as an opportunity to learn about some of the issues and challenges we'll be facing along the road to upgrading the entire Internet to IPv6.
Q: Why is Blizzard participating in IPv6 day?
A: As a company that relies heavily on the Internet, we want to do everything we can to prepare for IPv6 and learn about what sorts of issues we can expect to face as IPv6 becomes widely used. We also think IPv6 is cool, and want to do our part in supporting getting the Internet upgraded.
Q: What is IPv6?
A: IPv6 is the next-generation protocol for driving the Internet. The world has run out of IPv4 addresses, and while there are workarounds and various ways to continue to work with the existing protocol in the meantime, IPv6 provides a much better long-term solution.
Q: Which Blizzard systems are going to be participating in World IPv6 Day?
A: On World IPv6 Day, players will have the option to connect to the following North American World of Warcraft realms using IPv6. All other Blizzard games services, including StarCraft II, all other World of Warcraft realms, authentication services, and our websites, will still be accessible using IPv4 only.
- Antonidas
- Anub'arak
- Blackwater Raiders
- Bladefist
- Borean Tundra
- Cairne
- Cenarion Circle
- Cenarius
- Darrowmere
- Drak'Tharon
- Drenden
- Echo Isles
- Farstriders
- Fenris
- Garrosh
- Hydraxis
- Hyjal
- Korialstrasz
- Lightbringer
- Maiev
- Misha
- Mok'Nathal
- Moon Guard
- Nazgrel
- Nesingwary
- Nodrassil
- Quel'dorei
- Ravenholdt
- Rivendare
- Shandris
- Shu'halo
- Sisters of Elune
- The Forgotten Coast
- Tortheldrin
- Uther
- Vashj
- Winterhoof
- Wyrmrest Accord
Q: Do I need to have IPv6 connectivity to play World of Warcraft on World IPv6 day?
A: No. Our systems are capable of both IPv4 and IPv6, which means you'll be able to connect and play using either.
Q: I want to participate! How do I enable IPv6 for the World of Warcraft client?
A: First, we urge you to make sure your software and/or hardware firewalls are up to date and support IPv6. Even though IPv6 has been around for a few years, it's still not fully supported by all systems. You may have a firewall that supports IPv4 only, and getting IPv6 connectivity at home in such cases would potentially put your computer at risk. To test IPv6 in World of Warcraft, you'll need to edit your config.wtf file and add the following line:
SET unlockIPv6 "1"
This will activate the IPv6 features. If your computer has a valid IPv6 address, you'll be able to check the "Enable IPv6" checkbox from the Network options in the World of Warcraft client. Once in the game, you'll be able to see which type of connection the client has made to the realms next to the latency information.
Q: The "Enable IPv6" checkbox is still grayed out. What's happening?
A: First, make sure you've changed your config.wtf file to include the line SET unlockIPv6 "1". If you've done that, the World of Warcraft client needs to detect a valid IPv6 address on your computer in order for the checkbox to become available. Note that Teredo IPv6 addresses or 6to4 IPv6 addresses are not considered valid by the World of Warcraft client.
Q: My computer doesn't have an IPv6 address, even though it's enabled on my operating system. What should I do?
A: This probably means that your ISP doesn't support IPv6 yet. Some providers are offering experimental IPv6 connectivity for customers who ask for it. Please contact your ISP for more details about the availability of IPv6. Alternatively, you may use an IPv6 tunnel broker in order to obtain an IPv6 address.
Q: Will my latency change if I connect to World of Warcraft using IPv6?
A: This will likely depends on your provider and how you get your IPv6 connectivity. If you are using a tunnel broker, however, your latency is very likely to increase.
Q: Why are only some realms going to be available in IPv6? When am I going to be able to use IPv6 anywhere?
A: Deployment of IPv6 is an ongoing process that requires a good deal of work from multiple parties, so it's too early to say when the transition will be complete. Keep your eye on this page for further updates on the progress in deploying IPv6 to other World of Warcraft realms and regions in the near future.
