Vendors gather to promote next-generation IP

Leading industry names including Microsoft, BT, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Deutsche Telecom, have joined forces to create a worldwide consortium to promote the next level of IP (Internet Protocol).

The IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) Forum will work closely with the Internet Engineering Taskforce (IETF) to raise awareness of the technical specifications of IPv6.

The specifications for IPv6 have been under development by the IETF for some time and include a considerable number of improvements over the previous version, IPv4. One of the most obvious is that IP addresses are lengthened from 32bits to 128bits, ending fears of an impending shortage of network addresses.

IPv6 is also designed to enable easier and faster access to the Web from mobile devices. In a statement, Pekka Ala-Pietila, president of Nokia, said: "IPv6 is the only viable architecture that can accommodate the coming wave of Internet-capable cellular devices."

IPv6 is expected to gradually replace IPv4, with the two coexisting for a number of years.

Latif Ladid, president of the IPv6 Forum said the group will focus on sharing knowledge, experience and interoperability and creating common grounds for the Internet of the next millennium.

The first IPv6 meeting takes place in Oslo next week. For more information see http://www.ipv6forum.com