Microsoft’s Windows CE .NET 4.1 upgrade includes an important new feature; IPV6, the sucessor to IPV4, the protocol that runs the internet. IPv6 increases the address space from 32 bits to 128 bits, providing a virtually unlimited number of networks and systems. IPv6 also supports quality of service parameters for real-time audio and video streaming. Microsoft XP, Cisco and Linux currently support IPv6.
The IPV6 Forum promotes IPv6 and wants to create a Next Generation Internet based on it. The IPv6 FORUM doesn’t develop protocol standards. That’s the job of the Internet Engineering Task Force which has sole authority for IPv6 protocol standards.
Microsoft collaborated with Lancaster University and Lancaster uses Windows CE .NET source code in its curriculum. The UK-based Lancaster IPv6 Resource Centre has more details on IPv6. Their Mobile-IPv6 Systems Research Lab researches Wide Area Networking infrastructure and services. The UK, of course, is years ahead of the United States in mobile, high-speed networking.
Freenet6 delivers IPv6 connectivity for end stations using IPv6 over IPv4 tunnels. Computers connected to Internet can use this free service to get connected on the 6Bone.
Vint Cerf, who co-created the Internet’s TCP/IP in 1973 with Robert Kahn, loves IPV6. He’s concerned about running out of IP numbers for cable set-tops and cell phones. The NSF’s vBNS Backbone Network as well as the multicasting 6-Bone run on it.
IPV6 will provide network services to .mars (as soon as The Earth upgrades it’s routers).
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