The Internet Society (ISOC) has planned World IPv6 day for Wednesday, June 8. On that day, many major Internet web powers such as Facebook, Google, and Yahoo! and important content delivery network (CDN) providers, including Akamai and Limelight Network, will offer their content over IPv6 for a 24-hour "test flight."

IPv6 is the new version of the Internet address protocol that has been developed to supplement--and eventually replace--IPv4, the version used today. IPv6 is intended to replace the IPv4 standard because the lack of availability of new IPv4 addresses is beginning to restrict Internet growth and use. The IPv6 protocol provides virtually limitless Internet addresses.

According to The Internet Society, "The goal of the Test Drive Day is to motivate organizations across the industry - Internet service providers, hardware makers, operating system vendors and web companies - to prepare their services for IPv6 to ensure a successful transition as IPv4 addresses run out."

The University IPv6 implementation team has been preparing the University network for IPv6 readiness. Although we will not offer any of our sites over IPv6 on June 8, it's important for the University community to know, as Internet users, what they might encounter when visiting some websites on June 8.

Most users will not experience any trouble, and most sites and hosts will not notice a change or adverse impact. However, if you happen to visit sites that have enabled IPv6, you may have problems including slow start-up connections, slow performance and failed connectivity, that could lead you to think that the network or the particular website is experiencing some level of "brokenness."

Keep in mind that any such issue should last only through this 24-hour worldwide test day. However, as the trouble may have its roots in the configuration of the individual computer or device, University community members are encouraged to call the Office of Information's technology help at (612) 301-4357 (1-HELP on campus) for assistance.

More information about IPv6, World IPv6 Day and the ISOC is available at http://isoc.org/wp/worldipv6day/.