Government agencies are beginning to think of possible ways to use IPv6, including as an identifier for government contractors and as a gauge of the readiness of military missions.

IPv6 is being deployed to handle video surveillance, lighting, heating and traffic management systems in Olympic Park. IP Version 6 (IPv6) is making its international debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, being deployed throughout Olympic Park in several operational systems.

An IPv6-based video surveillance system is operating at 58 Olympic facilities, including arenas and stadiums across Olympic Park. IPv6-capable sensors, controllers and video cameras provide Olympic officials with the ability to monitor all areas of the Olympic facilities.

Network equipment manufacturers and software vendors have been selling IPv6-ready products for years. With broad adoption still some way off, network management software vendors haven't been as quick to follow. Now is the time for network managers to ask their preferred vendors what their plans are in this area.

Are we really running out of IPv4 addresses? Does IPv6 improve routing, and does it support multihomed sites? Does IPv6 provide increased mobility or security?

Joint Interoperability Test Command qualifies RHEL 5 for IPv6 use within the Defense Department.

Network equipment manufacturers and software vendors have been selling IPv6-ready products for years. With broad adoption still some way off, network management software vendors haven't been as quick to follow. Now is the time for network managers to ask their preferred vendors what their plans are in this area.

OMB requires agencies only to be ready for IPv6. It does not say they have to use it. Apparently, there is not yet a compelling reason for them to turn it on.

Agencies have until June 30 to meet the Office of Management and Budget’s mandate to get their network backbones ready to handle IPv6 traffic. The Social Security Administration achieved that goal six months ago.

This month marks the deadline for agencies to make their network backbones capable of handling IPv6 traffic.

European Commission encourages member governments, industry, Internet service providers and the public to adopt the next generation Internet protocols in the next few years.