When we speak of IPv6, in general, the first thing that comes to mind is the immense number of addresses that will become available. However, we should not forget to mention some of the protocol’s characteristics that will open the way for new applications and benefits for end users, which are increasing as the use of IPv6 is extended.
A broader address space allows the possibility of satisfying today’s growing demand for connection technologies such as DSL, cable modem, and mobile telephones. In turn, this makes it possible for each connected element to have a permanent connection, with a public address. In other words, it makes it possible for each device connected to the network, from PDAs to the devices we use in our everyday life such as home and office appliances, to be unequivocally identified throughout the Internet. In addition, automobiles will be able to have some type of IP connectivity through which to access different services such as global positioning, reports based on location, etc. Consider, for example, the possibility of monitoring our homes through the Internet, by means of an encrypted path, remotely triggering the alarm if necessary, or being able to turn on the heating before we arrive home in the evening.
In order to implement this type of services it is necessary to have what is called an "end-to-end connection". However, current technologies such as NAT affect the functioning of many applications and restrict this type of innovations. The IPv6 protocol make end-to-end connections possible once again, and this opens the spectrum for new ideas while at the same time providing greater flexibility to developers, as they need not worry about the techniques for operating avoiding NAT and private addresses.
Mechanisms such as self-configuration and "link-local addresses", automatically available, simplify the initial configuration of devices and local network administration. That means that a housewife will not have to worry about learning to configure an IPv6 address on the home printer that she uses simply to printout the bills she needs to pay, or when her husband sends an e-mail from his office with the intention of reading it quietly at home in the evening. In turn, the possibility of having encrypted connections by having IPSec as part of the protocol, makes it possible to more effectively guarantee the privacy and authenticity of all communications.
IPv6 improves the quality of service characteristics available today in regards to IPv4, allowing a more uniform vision on the global network. This guarantees real-time applications that can be offered to end users, such as videoconferencing or VoIP, and thus improves, for example, telephone communications.
Another important characteristic is mobility: the possibility of maintaining an IP address that remains constant, even when a user moves from one network to another, allows applications to remain active even when changing network providers. Although there are mechanisms to achieve this using IPv4, these are complex and require certain special conditions from an operational point of view. IPv6 has taken this characteristic into account from the beginning, and has the capability to redirect connections towards a mobile node’s new destination.
For all the reasons above, it is anticipated that new applications will be developed during the following years, applications that will take advantage of the new benefits provided by IPv6 and will improve everyone’s quality of life.
