The migration from IPv4 to IPv6 can not be achieved in a brief period, thus both protocols co-exist at certain years. IETF Next Generation Transition Working Group (NGtrans) developed IPv4/IPv6 transition mechanisms. Since Iraq infrastructure, including universities, companies and institutions still use IPv4 protocol only. This research article tries to highlight, discuss a required transition roadmap and extend the local knowledge and practice on IPv6. Also, it introduces a prototype model using Packet tracer (network simulator) deployed for the design and implementation of IPv6 migration. Finally, it compares and evaluates the performance of IPv6, IPv4 and dual stack using OPNET based on QoS metrics such as throughput, delay and point to point utilization the key performance metrics for network with address allocation and router configuration supported by Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing protocol. In addition it compares dual-stack to the tunneling mechanism of IPv6 transition using OPNET. The results have shown that IPv6 network produces a higher in throughput, response time and Ethernet delay, but little difference in packet dropped, additionally the result in TCP delay, Point to point utilization shows small values compared to dual-stack networks. The worst performance is noted when 6 to 4 tunneling is used, tunneling network produces a higher delay than other scenarios.
