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MCI Connects Global Supercomputer Leader Cray to IPv6 Next-Generation NetworkASHBURN, Va., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MCI, Inc. today announced that MCI is providing Cray, the global leader in supercomputing, with an IPv6 network for interoperability testing and product development of next-generation applications and software. A long-time MCI customer, Cray provides innovative computing platforms that enable scientists and engineers in academia, government and industry to meet both existing and future computational challenges. "MCI is enabling innovative computing businesses like Cray to support IPv6 networking solutions, driving new efficiencies, productivity, security and global connectivity," said Nancy Gofus, MCI senior vice president of Product Management. "MCI's implementation of IPv6 over our global IP backbone is helping early IPv6 adopters like Cray foster IP innovation in the years ahead." IPv6 is Internet Protocol Version 6 which is designed to replace the current Internet protocol called Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4). Known as the next-generation Internet protocol, IPv6 is addressing limitations in IPv4, including limited IP address space for the growing number of devices connecting to the Internet and private IP-enabled networks. IPv6 is also expected to add several improvements including enhanced network routing, network auto-configuration and stronger security. It also allows for better support for mobility and more easily enables renumbering. IPv6 will gradually replace IPv4, with the two protocols co-existing for a number of years during the transition. "Due to the finite number of IPv4 addresses within today's current environment, Cray is experiencing an increasing demand from the U.S. government and our Asia-Pacific customers for hardware, software and applications that are IPv6 compliant," said Darren Dehnke, network engineer at Cray Inc. "Our customers are making long-term investments in their network infrastructure so it is critical that Cray supercomputers have the capability to evolve with IP technology. MCI is helping us to meet our customers' needs today, while positioning Cray for future migration to IPv6 as its usage becomes more widespread." MCI has long been a proponent of IPv6, supporting native IPv6 services since 1998 when it deployed the first production IPv6 capable network in the United States, the vBNS+ network which is primarily used by government and academia. Today MCI offers a public IPv6 overlay network in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pac and MAE(R) Service customers can seamlessly utilize the IPv6 next-generation protocol at its U.S. facilities. Helping to drive IPv6 testing, MCI is also involved in the most aggressive multi-vendor test and demonstration of products being developed for the next- generation Internet protocol. MCI is collaborating with the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) to connect the North American IPv6 Task Force's Moonv6 next-generation Internet network to the commercial Internet backbone, allowing direct nationwide connections to the test bed. About Cray Inc. As the global leader in HPC, Cray provides innovative supercomputing systems that enable scientists and engineers in government, industry and academia to meet both existing and future computational challenges. Building on years of experience in designing, developing, marketing and servicing the world's most advanced supercomputers, Cray offers a comprehensive portfolio of HPC systems that deliver unrivaled sustained performance on a wide range of applications. Go to http://www.cray.com/ for more information. About MCI MCI, Inc. is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points of presence, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/. MCI, Inc. CONTACT: Janet Brumfield MCI Public Relations, +1-800-644-NEWS, [email protected] Web site: http://www.mci.com/http://www.cray.com/ |