projectedimpactsoftheinternetprotocolversion6(ipv6)on.docVIP

Projected Impacts of the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) on the USN and USMC Enterprise Michael P. Brig SPAWAR Systems Center Charleston PO 190022 North Charleston, SC 29419 843-218-4675 brigm@ The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the US Navy or Marine Corp. ABSTRACT: The emerging Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) standard should profoundly impact the US Navy (USN) Marine Corp (USMC) Network Centric Enterprise. The IPv6 protocol enables the realization of new Network Centric Warfare (NCW) concepts and doctrine while improving the scalability, robustness, security, and manageability of USN USMC communications. These improvements may be realized at a substantial cost if the transition from the current Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) standard is not managed, resourced, and coordinated properly. The scope of the transition should encompass nearly every program and community within the USN and USMC enterprise. A list of projected impacts to the USN and USMC enterprise due to the deployment of the IPv6 protocol are provided. As with any new technology, the impacts are both positive and negative. Examination of the list demonstrates a clear and compelling need for a comprehensive USN and USMC enterprise IPv6 transition strategy and program to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts and costs to the fleet. Introduction IPv6 is the next generation end-to-end protocol of the Internet. IPv6 has become necessary due to fundamental limitations in the current IPv4 protocol standard which render IPv4 incapable of meeting the long-term requirements of the commercial Internet. IPv6 was designed to overcome these limitations by expanding available address space, improving routing, providing end-to-end security, facilitating mobile communications, providing new enhancements to quality of service, and easing system management burdens. While the timing and speed of a com