Happy reading ! Interview with Patrick Grossetete IPv 6 Product Manager for Cisco Systems IOS Technologies segment Editorial IST - 2001 - 32063

IPv6, the IETF-designed protocol set dubbed the 'next generation' of IP, is designed as an update of the current version, IPv4, which it is said is beginning to show its age. Much of the vaunted improvement over IPv4 is attributable to the simple fact that IPv6 offers a virtually infinite number of Internet addresses from approximately 200 million assignable IPv4 addresses to countless trillions of assignable IPv6 addresses. At the same time, the policy of the Registries (RIPE-NCC, ARIN, APNIC, LACNIC) of allocating prefixes and enabling a hierarchy of routes facilitated by IPv6, is also seen as a significant benefit compared to the previous incarnation. Also, IPv6 is said to add many improvements in areas such as network auto-configuration and mobility. It seems that big business is also behind the initiative. Sony, for one, has announced that all its products will be IPv6-enabled by 2005. According to Boeing the average home contains 250 devices (toasters, electric toothbrushes, etc.. that could at some future time be connected to the Internet via IPv6. Therefore, level of opportunity for makers of such products such as consoles, sensors, controls and fixtures once these products are IPv6-enabled must look enticingly high.