Last orders for IPv4 as operators dither about rolling out IPv6 to end-users

摘要

Operators that haven't started to make their networks IPv6-ready could be left with obsolete infrastructure unless they act soon.rnIPv6 is the new Internet addressing system that will replace the existing set of IP addresses, which might run out as soon as 2011. The European Commission, meanwhile, set a target in May that 25% of all European connections would be IPv6-capable by 2012.rnBut although backbone and enterprise operators stress the importance of preparing for IPv6, it appears to be low on the priority list of many of Europe's large operators.rnMost operators are now IPv6 "ready", which means they have not deployed it to end-users but their networks are capable of handling IPv6 when the operator decides to deploy.rnOnly a few large operators offer IPv6 addressing to end-users today (see fig. 1). For consumers, there is no additional value to be gained from having IPv6 enabled, and for operators there is no reason to implement IPv6 as long as consumers don't demand it.