7.1 Opportunities Offered by IPv6

IPv6 is considered to be the next-generation Internet Protocol [HUI199701], [HAG200201], [MUR200501], [SOL200401], [ITO200401], [MIL199701], [MIL200001], [GRA200001], [DAV200201], [LOS200301], [LEE200501], [GON199801], [DEM200301], [GOS200301], [MIN200601], and [WEG199901]. The current version of the Internet Protocol, IPv4, has been in use for almost 30 years and exhibits some challenges in supporting emerging demands for address space cardinality, high-density mobility, multimedia, and strong security. This is particularly true in developing domestic and defense department applications that utilize peer-to-peer networking.

IPv6 is an improved version of the Internet Protocol that is designed to coexist with IPv4 and eventually provide better internetworking capabilities than IPv4 [IPV200401]. IPv6 offers the potential of achieving the scalability, reachability, end-to-end interworking, QoS, and commercial-grade robustness for data as well as for Voice-Over-IP (VoIP), IP-based TV (IPTV ^[2]) distribution, and triple-play networks; these capabilities are mandatory mileposts of the technology if it is to replace the time division multiplexing (TDM) infrastructure around the world. Every device connected to the internet has at least one IP address, and usually more than one. When the current version of the Internet Protocol (IPv4) was conceived in the 1970s, it provided just over 4 billion addresses; today, that is not enough to provide each person on the planet with one address. Additionally, 74 percent of IPv4 addresses have been assigned to North American organizations. The goal of developers is to be able to assign IP addresses to a new class of Internet-capable devices: mobile phones, car navigation systems, home...