TRAI recommends IPv6 usage

By agencies   |   Wednesday, 21 December 2005, 20:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
NEW DELHI: In order to give a push to Internet Protocol version 6 deployments that offer improved address space, quality of service and data security capabilities, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested that IPv6 usage in platforms and applications pertaining to e-governance be mandated. According to a TRAI’s statement, “Major thrust of TRAI's recommendations is in setting up of test beds for experimentation in IPv6 technologies, creation of a National Internet Registry in the country. And also to bring awareness about IPv6 through Government agencies.” Issuing its draft recommendations on ‘Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 in India,’ the regulatory body said that the move was necessary in view of fast expanding Internet usage and increased demand on the IP address space. TRAI's draft recommendations entail amending the definition of IP address mentioned in ISP license to enable 128 bits to be used as needed for IPv6 based addressing, instead of the existing 32 bits; enlarging the existing IPv6 test bed of ERNET to make it country-wide. Up gradation of National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) as a national test bed for IPv6 and interconnection among various nodes to provide access to all ISPs; and encouragement to State-owned organization such as Telecom Engineering Center, CDOT and CDAC to set up IPv6 test beds through Government funding. It also talks about establishment of National Internet Registry in the country, within the framework of APNIC, the regional Internet registry, utilizing the existing set up of NIXI. TRAI had issued a consultation paper in August, highlighting the need for migration to IPv6, regulatory issues related to migration, creation of National Internet Registry, setting up of IPv6 test bed and adoption of international best practices.