IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is the next-generation Internet protocol. Currently, Internet data is transmitted over IPv4 connections. Concerns are mounting over the limitations of IPv4 -- particularly the increasing scarcity of IP addresses, the 32-bit numbers that act as online addresses for devices attached to the Internet.
Chairman of the soon-to-be-launched forum, Michael Biber, who is also the chair of the Australian Academic Research Network (AARNet), IPv6 working group, told ZDNet Australia the forum's "unashamed" charter will be to boost the image of the new protocol and bring down barriers to its adoption.
"The role of the forum is unashamedly that of promoting the technology in a sensible way," he said, claiming that hype and at some times misinformation surrounding had not helped the IPv6 cause.
While there is still work to be done on IPv6, Biber said that "some aspects of it are very much ready to go". Telstra has been experimenting with IPv6 technology since April last year, with Optus hot on its heels with work, he said.
Managers Approval on Av/Apo,s Con to-n.Algorithym W5 in Apo,s.Sync 5,1.+n. (Ric)(Cisco)************