The Real IPv6 Opportunity: Understanding the Strengths and Limits of the Federal 2008 Deadline

Abstract

This Government Insights report discusses the U.S. federal government' s June 2008 deadline for the transition of major portions of its networks to the more robust IPv6. This document carefully reviews the driving factors behind the government' s IPv6 transition and predicts the reality behind the spending numbers and the challenge of operating some systems in dual protocol mode. This document helps vendors understand all the various pieces of the IPv6 puzzle and how they influence government IT spending.

"The pending government transition to IPv6 is a significant opportunity for IT services vendors," said Shawn P. McCarthy, director of Vendor Programs at Government Insights. "But some vendors may be overestimating how much money the government plans to spend on pure IPv6 upgrades."