|
December 17, 2007
Sprint Ready to Deploy IPv6
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
Sprint (News - Alert) has announced today that it is ready to deploy the next generation Internet Protocol, IP Version 6 (IPv6 ). The new protocol is expected to greatly expand IP addressing and accommodate the rapidly growing demand for services and applications with Internet access over the next few years.
This new deployment is the next step for Sprint in its efforts to build on its vision of mobility and its broad expertise to deliver a diverse portfolio of production-level IPv6 services. The company is nearing initial beta testing of IPv6 MPLS VPNs on its Peerless IP (PIP) network.
The PIP network is designed to provide a platform that physically and logically isolates from the public Internet. Sprint expects that customer trials will begin in January 2008, with general availability in the second quarter of 2008.
"Since 1997, Sprint has been actively involved in the standardization, testing, and deployment of IPv6," said Iyad Tarazi, vice president of network development at Sprint, in a Monday statement.
"As an early adopter of IPv6 in an experimental capacity, we've been testing IPv6 applications with our customers for more than a decade, and our involvement has provided Sprint the expertise that is needed to develop solutions for the emerging addressing constraints and for the general market," he said.
IPv4 is currently the dominant packet transport protocol and is now more than two decades old. IPv6 is the next generation protocol designed to replace this outdated version.
The Internet has seen sharp growth in demand and usage, creating problems for IPv4 as it offers limited IP space address. The next generation IPv6 solution will increase the number of addresses and is also expected to make significant improvements in areas such as routing and auto configuration to produce better functionality and enhance security.
A variety of IP-based services are available from Sprint and the company plans to continue to expand them in parallel with IPv6 evolution. These services will include Dedicated IP, MPLS VPN, Managed Network Services and Consulting services.
Federal agencies will also benefit from IPv6. In fact, support for this new platform is required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The primary IPv6 vehicle for Sprint federal customers is the Networx Enterprise contract Sprint will add IPv6 services to the Federal Networx Enterprise contract as they become available for IPv6 planning and transition support.
"Sprint is focused on a convergence strategy; as we move to a common infrastructure to deliver video, voice and data over our Global IP network we will continue to look for opportunities to use IPv6," said Tony D'Agata, vice president of Federal Sales for Sprint in Monday’s statement.
"With the growth of applications and Internet usage worldwide, availability of IP addresses has become strained. IPv6 is expected to expand addressing, add an additional level of security, foster network efficiencies and accommodate application growth. Our Federal customers are leading that transition," said D'Agata.
IPv6 is designed to support wireless, wireline and converged IP network architectures. It enables services to be delivered to Federal agencies seeking to comply with the OMB mandate, as well as customers searching for mobility across platforms and devices.
As the demand and growth of the Internet continues, users will expect better and faster from all sites, services and search engines. To make this a reality and to even ensure that we can continue to use the Internet to the capacity that we are now, there is a significant need for IPv6.
By designating this deployment, Sprint is ensuring that its services will continue to be in high demand and that its name is synonymous with next generation technology offerings.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMC (News - Alert) and has also written for eastbiz.com. To see more of her articles, please visit Susan J. Campbell’s columnist page.
Want to learn more about IPv6? Then be sure to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. The papers are authored by industry leaders, who, in turn, receive qualified sales leads from interested parties. Check here for the latest in CRM information. Virtual Private Network (VPN) | X | | Virtual Private Network is through the use of tunnels (encryption) creating secure IP networks. In this TECHtionary tutorial, we will review:
- Four Compelling Market Conditions Drive VPNs
- Three ...more |
IP version 6 (IPv6) | X | | This is just an explanation of the packet format not its applications....more |
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) | X | | In a Provider Provisioned Virtual Private Network, there may be more than one label. To begin with, IP packets may have a number of labels or "tags" attached to them. MPLS is just one type of label....more |
Internet Protocol (IP) | X | | IP stands for Internet Protocol, a data-networking protocol developed throughout the 1980s. It is the established standard protocol for transmitting and receiving data
in packets over the Internet. I...more |
Routing | X | | There are many often too many explanation of routing. Here�s one:
Hop-by-Hop Routing - IP Routing
- Distributes routing to routers
- Networks look/act like trees
- Data can traverse many routers ...more |
(source: http://internetcommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/broadband-mobile/articles/16620-sprint-ready-deploy-ipv6.htm)
|
|
Internet Telephony Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
CUSTOMER 
Cloud Computing Magazine
Click here to read latest issue
IoT EVOLUTION MAGAZINE
