Abstract:
General consensus among experts is that IP version 4 (IPv4) addresses will have been used up by the year 2010, it is therefore imperative to educate IT professionals on the features of its successor IP version 6 (IPv6) as soon as possible. Internet Protocol is a set of technical rules that defines how a computer communicate over a network. The current internet protocol (IPv4) has been in use since 1981 and i used by the vast majority of the internet community, the original developers never foresaw the extraordinary expansion of Internet usage worldwide. There are just over 4 billion IPv4 addresses, but these are running out at an unprecedented rate. IPv6 is a replacement for IPv4; it was deployed in 1999 and provides far more IP addresses, which will meet the need well into the future. I examined the current level of knowledge of IPv6 and the implications associated with deploying it amongst the Irish IT professional through a survey carried out. The purpose of the survey was to uncover any specific areas of confusion relating to this protocol and its benefits. I then used the results to formulate a guide which addressed any areas of concern which the general IT community had with regards IPv6 features I choose this topic as I had noticed that though IPv4 addresses were running out, no plan for IPv6 deployment had been set out in my own IT department. I also noticed a lack of concern and understanding of IPv6 among my peers. I learned that there is in fact a serious lack of general understanding of IPv6 and its features but also a lack of understanding of how it could affect the IT infrastructure and why it would be required in the future. This is a very worthwhile study as IPv6 will affect all aspects of IT infrastructure, it i important that every IT professional understands the features and implications of deployment and how it will affect their profession. For Ireland specifically it is important to get in on the ground floor in the development of IPv6, not just for the benefits the new protocol offers (mobile, security, end-to-end communication, etc.) but also the fact that our own IPv4 address pool may not carry us through to eventual IPv6 deployment comfortably, leaving it late may leave Irish Companies running the risk of having to bid for the remaining IPv4 addresses, which could prove costly.
