Cisco, like many of its federal customers, is in the midst of a global migration from IPv4 to IPv6. The new version of IP, which Cisco has been working with since 1996, supports a much larger address space and enables new types of applications for communication and collaboration. With support for billions of addresses for every square meter on the planet’s surface, IPv6 dispels previous limits on the number of devices and sensors that Cisco can connect to its wired and wireless networks.
The new opportunity that IPv6 creates is deploying new types of applications for communication and collaboration that will create a competitive advantage. One plan at Cisco, for example, is to integrate IPv6-based environmental sensors and actuators into construction to create intelligent buildings that save energy costs. At the Department of Education, Director of Converged Communications Peter Tseronis envisions connecting to streaming video or a live video conference from his Blackberry or iPod. Cisco is beginning its transition to IPv6 now so that it can compile and share best practices with its federal government customers.
This article discusses the Cisco IPv6 transition plan.
