Description
I directed an independent study group during the Summer semester of 2006 at UAT focusing on a technology called Internet Protocol, version 6 (IPv6). The purpose of the group was to develop a class on the technology emphasizing the theory behind the protocol, how the protocol works, and practice practical implementation of the protocol in a lab setting. The class is scheduled to be available for students to enroll for the spring 2007 semester.
IPv6 is the current candidate recommended to replace the now deprecated but still widely deployed IPv4. To convey the importance of this shift, students will research the short comings of IPv4, how IPv6 addresses those needs, and why IPv6 is the most logical candidate for replacing the older technology. Then labs have been created allowing the student first hand experience in implementing the protocol on a closed network. However, because IPv4 is still in such widespread use, there are many political, commercial, and technological implications that must be addressed.
This collection of information was developed and presented during the 2006 DC480Con. The presentation focuses on the world-wide impact that this technology could have, if not implemented with great care. My aim is to invoke discussion on how the technology could be implemented with minimal compromises.
The presentation that I created and conducted at the DC480Con 2 is provided in the link above.
Lessons Learned
Through developing the class and the presentation, I learned about technology implementation on a global commercial scale. I also learned that governments and private commercial research groups must work together to successfully deploy a technology as expansive as IPv6. Communication systems will always be essential to commerce and protection on a local and global scale, but like encryption, communication protocols like IPv6 have inherent flaws that can be exploited.