Welcome to the TeamTech 4+2 website

Hi, welcome to the home page for TeamTech 4+2. Our team’s mission is to inform you of a topic that concerns everyone that uses the Internet. Through extensive research, a formal report, a video presentation and this website we will introduce you to what is known as IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). Here at the TeamTech home page you will find basic information about IPv6, a link to each team member’s biography page, and a link to our formal report, which will have more detailed information about IPv6. There is also a link to our operating agreement, which contains details about the team’s operating standards.

Our project’s goal is to research all aspects of IPv6 and determine if IPv6 will help solve the problems associated with IPv4, which is the protocol being used now. Through extensive research, a formal report, a presentation, and a website we will present our findings. This project has helped us and will help you take a closer look at the details associated with this new technology. From a basic explanation of what IPv6 is, to technical information on how it works, to issues with implementing, our project will take a deeper look at this emerging technology.

IPv6 – The Basics

Internet Protocol Version 6, known as IPv6, is the new replacement for Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) that was created in 1994. Internet Protocol is the number of network addresses widely used throughout the world. The limitations of IPv4 have created the need for a larger address and extensibility. IPv4 has 32 address bits, and IPv6 will quadruple the number of network address bits to 128 bits. This equates to 3.4 trillion addresses. IPv6 will also extend the header base to 40 bytes compared to IPv4, which has 20 bytes. “The deployment of IPv6 will enable the worldwide IP-based devices to seamlessly communicate and inter-operate in a much more efficient manner” (Microsoft TechNet, 2004, Conclusion section, 1.).

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is touted to be the future in networking capabilities. When the United States created and began using IPv4, no one could have imagined the potential explosion of growth in the world of electronics that we are now experiencing. Internet Protocol (IP) is the way we connect to the world around us using the internet, cell phones, satellite television, GPS tracking devices, and other modes of electronics. The United States controls 80% of the current IP addresses. Due to the tremendous growth in the world population, and the ever-increasing number of electronic gadgets being marketed every year, IP addresses are going to eventually be all used up.

IPv6 will allow the potential for unlimited growth, not only in IP addresses, but it will also provide more security, privacy, greater speed, and allow additional devices to be developed and utilized. IPv6 will not change the way we do things, it will make the way we do things more efficient, give us more capabilities, and allow the world to experience greater technological advances.

What Problem is IPv6 Trying to Solve?

An upgrade from IPv4 to IPv6 is needed for several reasons. Expanding the address capability from 32 bits to 128 bits will support a greater level of Internet Protocol along with increasing internet security, simplifying configuration to make switching of information effortless and faster, and the capability of increasing the transmission of information to a larger range of computer nodes. Changing to IPv6 will make options that become available in the future easier to implement them when upgrading in the IPv4 version. The internet community is staying on line longer not only for as a consumable tool, but as a communication, and informational tool which increases the need to upgrade to IPv6.

What Will IPv6 Do?

Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) will replace an outdated IPv4 with a more modern version. The newer version will address the need for better routing, security, privacy, enhanced mobility, faster speeds, and will allow for additional devices. Because the market of users is expected to grow to one billion by the year 2010, IPv6 will provide the needed number of network addresses. “With all this increased space, not only are desired new features and functions, such as fixed IP addresses and mobile/data/video convergences possible, but entire economies, even those with over 1.3 billion residents, can build an infrastructure to support tomorrow’s technology today,” (CI Command Information, 2006, IPv6: A Short Introduction Section, 4.).