Trumpet Software International begins rollout of IPv6 services.

[Peter Tattam]

This message is not meant as marketing and will probably have little direct
impact on existng 6bone memebers, but instead serves to reiterate the
commitment that we here at Trumpet Software International have to the IPv6
project and the 6bone in general.  We feel that a strong and decisive step in
this direction will assist the acceleration of IPv6 services worldwide.

This press release has been distributed to the local media in Tasmania, one key
national paper (The Australian) and interested federal and state govt members
in Tasmania.

Peter


PRESS RELEASE


25th June 1999


Trumpet Software International Introduces IPv6 to Internet Users in Australia.
 
Trumpet Software International Pty. Ltd. based in Hobart is heralding a new era
for Internet users by introducing Australia's first Internet Service Provider
(ISP) using the new emergent standard in Internet Protocols known as the IPv6
protocol. 

The Federal Government, through their strategy of Building on IT Strengths,
aims to assist in funding next generation networks, support of digital
transmission trial test-beds and the development of international broadband R&D
links. What Trumpet has achieved is very much in line with this strategy and
attains a strong position to take full advantage of the new developments in
communications infrastructure. 

INTERNET  ADDRESSING
 
All addresses used in the Internet must be unique. With the present method of
address allocation, there is a finite limit that will be reached sooner rather
than later.  The problem is a bit like the millennium bug. Potentially a time
bomb waiting to go off. 
 
WHAT IS IPv6?
 
IPv6 is a replacement Internet Protocol that will enhance the ability to
sustain the continuous growth of the Internet, solving the IP address space
depletion dilemma and enhancing other properties that will eventually impact on
the viability of the Internet.  By the use of the IPv6 Addressing capability,
rather than the existing IPv4 protocol, the limit on addresses has been
extended from a theoretical 4 billion to 340 trillion, trillion, trillion
(3.4x10 (38) 
 
WHY HAVE IPv6?
 
IPv6 is more than an improved longer term addressing facility. It is also a
protocol that offers more scalable network architecture, improved security and
data integrity, improved quality of service and security enhancements. 
 
The 128 bit address space that IPv6 uses will allow businesses to deploy a
great array of new desktop, mobile and embedded network devices in a cost
effective, managed manner. The advanced auto configuration features will allow
automatic attachment of these devices to the network without the costs of
manual configuring. 
 
These features and the new IPv6 security features of encryption and
authentication services make the protocol very much an end user and business
concern. 

Other factors that are important in the Internet changes are the need for
effective scalable routing. This is the technique that enables the addresses of
all nodes or devices on the Internet to be located by a tree structure search
without the need to hold all addresses on key routers only. 

As a consequence of the existing 32 bit addressing architecture, the Ipv4
network regularly experiences small "tremors" when these key Internet routers
have difficulty in keeping up with the current network. 

The way that IPv6 assigns addresses will make this a lot more effective with a
minimum of human intervention. 
 
Consequently new devices can be configured in a simpler manner and existing
ones renumbered without any visible impact on the bulk of users. 
 
As with many new technical advances, networked business enterprises that invest
in IPv6 planning now will enhance their competitive advantage as the growth of
Internetworking proceeds. 
 
IPv6 as the standard for Internet Protocol or IP as set out by the Internet
Engineering Steering Group has been approved as far back as 1994. Most major
vendors such as Digital, Apple, HP, Novell and Sun have started to deliver IPv6
on desktop machines and servers. A wide range of support already exists for the
protocol. 
 
IPv6 is not just an address improvement, it introduces a completely fresh start
and structured hierarchy of routing that will replace the present chaotic
anomalies and liabilities. 
  
WHAT HAS TRUMPET DONE FOR IPv6 AND THE INTERNET?
 
Trumpet Software International Pty. Ltd. has established the first IPv6
Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Australia. This has been made possible by
the impending release of the Trumpet Winsock Version 5.0 product that is IPv6
compatible.  Trumpet is also the first pseudo Top Level Aggregate (pTLA) for
the 6bone in Australia. The 6bone is a virtual network for the testing of IPv6
technology that runs off the regular Internet.  This facility is rapidly
reaching production level status. The advances at Trumpet enable the Company to
provide 6bone connections to other organisations around the nation. 
 






--
Peter R. Tattam                            peter@trumpet.com
Managing Director,    Trumpet Software International Pty Ltd
Hobart, Australia,  Ph. +61-3-6245-0220,  Fax +61-3-62450210