DoT sets up task force to upgrade IP version

Fearing the exhaustion of web addresses in the next two years, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set up a task force to look into ways to upgrade from the existing Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to next generation IPv6.

The task force would have many working groups, consisting of experts and members from various stakeholders. Subsequently, an Indian IPv6 centre for innovation would be formed to enable the smooth transition of the technologies, a ministry official said.

IP is a unique address, which is assigned to a machine when it goes online. IPv6 technology is more secure due to its 128-bit addressing system, while IPv4 has a 32-bit addressing system.

“After two years, our networks will continue to grow only if these adopt IPv6, as IPv4 addresses are going to be more or less depleted by that time,” DoT said.

The task force would be for the short term and take up all the IPv6-related issues on priority. In the long term, all activities of the task force would be taken over by the Indian IPv6 Centre for Innovation, the department said.

It would bring together the different stakeholders to a common platform, where they can discuss the issues, develop and implement strategies for making the transition to IPv6 possible.

The goal of the task force would be to examine the impact of IPv4 address exhaustion from varying standpoints of different players involved in the provision of network systems, besides imparting the need for an industry-wide recognition of issues and the consideration of strategies and counter-measures.