One embodiment includes, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and/or means associated with automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network. In one embodiment, automatic transition routers are automatically discovered along with the knowledge of what non-native protocols need to be transported across a network. Communication pathways are automatically established as needed to transport these non-native protocols. One embodiment is particularly useful in transitioning a network from one protocol to another, such as from Internet Protocol version 4 to version 6.