Juniper Networks Highlights the Need for IPv6 Education
at the Coalition Summit for IPv6
By Juniper Networks

2005 was a banner year for the Coalition Summit for IPv6. Expert speakers and in-depth technical presentations clearly underlined the value and benefits of IPv6. Based on the strong federal executive turnout and the buzz in the hallways at the conference, IPv6 must be on the minds of every one in information technology (IT), especially in federal government IT.

However, the Juniper Networks 2005 Federal IPv6 IQ Study found that not to be the case. The study of IT decision makers in both the federal government and the private sector reveals a significant education opportunity on the next-generation Internet, IPv6. While more than 80 percent of respondents require improved Internet quality of service, security, and network management - all key benefits of IPv6 - less than seven percent consider IPv6 "very important" to achieving their IT goals.

The Juniper Networks 2005 Federal IPv6 IQ Study shows the IPv6 message must get beyond the knowledgeable attendees at the conference to those in decision-making positions in the federal government.

Mainstream Confusion about IPv6 Benefits – Education Needed

The Juniper Networks 2005 Federal IPv6 IQ Study is a wake-up call, providing critical insight into the current state of IPv6 knowledge and migration. The study shows that while IT decision makers place a high priority on the IT issues that IPv6 helps to address, they demonstrate low interest in migrating to IPv6 – and that few have plans for IPv6 migration. Further, the study reports that the federal government trails the private sector in IPv6 awareness, transition planning, knowledge of regulatory requirements, and deadlines for transition, as well as understanding of how IPv6 will help meet IT goals.

Clearly the strongest implication of the Juniper Networks 2005 Federal IPv6 IQ Study is the need to educate IT decision makers about the value of IPv6. Industry has a critical role to play in delivering IPv6 solutions and in partnering with government to increase awareness of the value of the transition to IPv6.

“The federal government and the vendor community need to work together to educate IT decision makers on the benefits of migrating to IPv6,” said Thomas Kreidler, vice president of Juniper Federal Systems at Juniper Networks. “As the leading provider of end-to-end IPv6-enabled solutions, Juniper Networks is committed to working with the federal government to help ensure a smooth transition to this next generation protocol with high levels of network assurance and intelligence.”

Other key study findings include:

• Strong Value Alignment: The top three advantages for IPv6 migration align with the respondents’ top three IT goals. Over 80 percent of respondents rate quality of service, security, and scalability as key IT goals. Respondents identified three key motivators for IPv6 migration: 45 percent cited improved security, 30 percent cited improved quality of service, and 30 percent cited improved scalability.
• Education Biggest Barrier to Change: Even with the apparent understanding of the overlap between IPv6 benefits and key IT goals, only seven percent of survey respondents consider IPv6 very important in enabling their organization to achieve its goals. 60 percent of respondents assert that IPv6 will play no role in helping their organization achieve its IT goals or are unsure if IPv6 will help.
• Knowledge and Budget Obstacles – Complexity Not the Issue: 35 percent of respondents assert that they have no compelling reason to migrate to IPv6. 30 percent cite budget as the critical gating factor, while only 17 percent of respondents cite technical issues as a transition barrier.
• Readiness – Poor: Defense Holds the Lead: 12 percent of Department of Defense (DoD) respondents, 10 percent of private sector respondents, and only four percent of federal civilian respondents have written IPv6 transition plans.

For more information on Juniper Networks IPv6 solutions, or to download a copy of the Juniper Networks 2005 Federal IPv6 IQ Study, please visit: www.juniper.net/federal/IPv6.