What are the challenges IPv6 is facing today in the market?
The challenge is an assessment of value. Few understand the value that IPv6 offers and hence are reluctant to commit funding for its exploration, let alone adoption and implementation. Clear communications as to the "why" of IPv6 need to be compiled and publicised to start informing different industrial and government communities. Actual live demonstrations of use of v6 and how it significantly improves performance, diminishes costs, increases revenues will be of great importance to the protocols adoption.
Does IPv6 need a killer application to achieve accelerated deployment?
A "killer" app would be great. But we also need the network. We need the network to be native v6 to show the actual value of the protocol (dual stacking will be a costly burden and yet maintained unless people perceive true value in v6 abilities). We need to show simple value-added ability to accomplish a task - this in itself will bring on adoption. What I think is meant by killer-app here is the amount of revenue that can be generated b/c the users see how it makes their life easier to do something they want to do. What makes it "killer" is hindsight and millions of dollars in revenue. Revenue is a reflection of value in most peoples eyes. So the moment companies see that they can make money with v6, they will start accelerating its deployment.
Do you have any opinion on when we'll see IPv6 uptake globally?
The Globe is a big place. I would say for developed countries by 2020 we should see most systems using v6. even in native format. For undeveloped countries, assuming the populace doesn't pull down the communications towers because the materials are more valuable to them than the ability to communicate through IP, we could even see faster adoption since their need for nationwide communication networks is so great.
What are in your opinion the biggest flaws of IPv6? Can they be tackled?
The biggest hindrance to adoption of v6 at this time is that the protocol is still under development. While this allows for it to grow as needed to fit user requirements, it also leaves ambiguity and people are put in the position of expositing on the possibilities of v6 rather than developing with it.
What real benefits can IPv6 bring to end-users?
The most exciting possibility for v6 is its ability to bring intelligent communications between and among people and things.
Do you think security will be better with IPv6 than currently with IPv4, or is this a completely independent issue?
From what I am hearing, security issues will pervade regardless of whether v6 will be adopted. They may be different issues, but they will exist. Hackers will continue to have their fun, and security developers will try to keep up.
Does IPv6 offer better privacy?
No - not unless effective applications are developed which enable users to protect and manage their private information. IPv6 opens the door to greater privacy issues as data, people and devices can be tracked independently and together. But issues also bring opportunity. There are businesses waiting to be built to solve or at least address these issues.
Political & Business Issues:
What are the drivers for IPv6?
Need, value, cash. The same drives as for every product or service adoption. And I would argue that v6 is not what needs to be driven - but what can be done with it. Therein lies the story that will excite governments, venture capitalists, corporations and entrepreneurs.
Is there a business case for IPv6?
It is under development. And each sector that would employ v6 needs to find its own business case for v6, just as any product or service solution needs to be tailored to the needs of the buyer/user, so does the business case for v6 need to address that stakeholder's specific needs.
Does IPv6 have to demonstrate an ROI?
On a case by case basis, it is possible to show an ROI.
Can IPv6 be a turning point regarding the global Internet?
v6, as a component of many other components of the Internet can play an important and active role in the proliferation of a global Internet.
Why is Europe and the US lagging behind? And Is Asia really ahead of them?
I long to hear what is really taking place in China and Japan. I hear great things about what they are doing, but in terms of actual consumer based depolyment of v6, I see no evidence of it. Or even military or other government deployment - though I presume we would hear less about that.
Can China take leadership and become the center of new Internet solutions?
China, it seems, has learned much in its v6 ventures, and it is a hungry country, focused, with a regime that can dedicate resources without compromise to particular endeavors. If it continues along its current path, then yes, I would say it could become at least one of the key players in new Internet solutions. It will need to sell and share to become the center, though, and I am not sure how it plans to disseminte its "solutions."
Can IPv6 empower the citizen?
This is one of the aspects that excites me the most about IPv6 - that it will enable the Web2.0 personalities we see flourishing around the world to truly become their own broadcasters, their own producers and disseminators of content. v6 enabled devices have the ability to empower. It will be interesting to observe what people decide to do with that ability and that power.
Can the IPv4 address shortage be used as a monopoly resource to control the Internet? Would there be a black market for IPv6?
Interesting question regarding the black market - was there a black market for IPv4? There was a shortage there with many countries sorely without needed address resources. I am interested in hearing whathappened then. Perhaps it will be a model of the future.
Can Europe, and the World - one day - bear with the fact that the public Internet can't grow anymore because the addresses ran out? Can business live and thrive without that growth?
We are a developing world. Our capacity for invention is great. Another system or another protocol will be developed. Perhaps one day we will not even need addresses because a whole other methodology of communication and connection will have been developed.
What's the business impact of not doing IPv6?
The greatest impact is to be left on the sidelines. Because China and other Asian countries have grabbed the v6 initiative, they are guiding, setting policies for, and controling the development of IPv6. What made us so comfortable here in the US, is that we controled everything with v4 and the other protocols that created what we have today. We are in an uncomfortable position of being #9 or #10 currently in a technology which we developed. The impact for us lies in technology innovation which will impact our military, government functioning, business growth, technology advancement, education and learning of our populace, ... but perhaps I exaggerate.
Can government play a role in driving IPv6 deployment?
Absolutely. In fact that is what is taking place in every country that is adopting this technology. China, Japan and others have government vested interest in v6 implementation. The commercial sector may eventually take the lead and fly with its possibilities, but the governments are the ones that are kicking it off.
How would you qualify the support awarded by your government to IPv6 deployment?
My biggest concern from having attended many IPv6 Federal government conferences is that the U.S. government is not sufficiently funding the mandate it has declared, and it has not defined the mandate so that Federal CIOs have a clearly understood target for which they are aiming. These two elements together will lead to a longer time for adoption and a more costly process.
You have IPv4
