RIPE NCC Launches IPv6 Implementation Guide

With Just Over 10% of IPv4 Address Space Left, the RIPE NCC Launches How to Act Now - a Guide to Making IPv6 Deployment Simple

AMSTERDAM, November 17 - The RIPE NCC, the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Europe, the Middle
East and parts of Central Asia today launches How to Act Now, a resource to
help business and government representatives plan and execute IPv6
deployment. This is the first tool of its kind to focus on deploying IPv6 in
a real-world, business environment.

How to Act Now includes expert advice, video clips, and hints and tips on
all aspects of planning and implementing IPv6 within your network, no matter
how large or small. The content addresses the questions and challenges faced
by business and technical representatives from large enterprises, small
businesses, ISPs and government organisations when adopting IPv6.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version six) is the latest version of the
Internet addressing protocol. All devices connected to the Internet need an
IP address in order to connect to other devices in the network. The majority
of the Internet is currently run on IPv4, but only about ten per cent of the
address space now remains unallocated. Adoption of IPv6 is vital to enable
new users and devices to connect to the Internet.

Organisations that delay IPv6 adoption may face increased costs due to
poor procurement planning and rushed deployment. Failure to ensure that all
devices and networks are IPv6 compatible could lead to problems communicating
with other Internet users and inhibit access to online content and services.

"With most estimates putting IPv4 exhaustion only two years away, at
best, it is clear that concerted action on IPv6 deployment is necessary to
ensure the stability of the Internet and its continued growth," comments Axel
Pawlik, Managing Director of the RIPE NCC. "Failure to deploy IPv6 ahead of
the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses is one of the biggest threats facing the
Internet today."

"With How to Act Now, the RIPE NCC aims to help all organisations, from
governments and vendors to ISPs and telcos, to put the adoption and
integration of IPv6 at the top of their technology agenda. Deployment of new
technology takes time, and as the point of IPv4 exhaustion looms ever closer,
time will be the one luxury that we as an industry no longer have."

Contact: Lucie Smith, +44(0)20-8752-3200, ripencc at racepointgroup.com