NTT Communications (NTT Com) said that it plans for the worldwide rollout of an internet-protocol (IP) virtual private network (VPN) service supporting both the conventional IPv4 and successor IPv6 protocols, beginning April 15 in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The company said that the service will provide dual-stack connectivity NTT Com’s Arcstar Global IP-VPN via synchronous transfer mode (STM), ethernet or cross-connect access lines. By allowing both protocols to be used on the same network, the service enables enterprises to retain existing IPv4 architecture while gradually transitioning to IPv6.
NTT Com said that most Arcstar Global IP-VPN optional services will be available, including quality of service, load sharing and traffic reporting. The company launched a Japan-only dual-stack Arcstar IP-VPN service in March 2009.
Shin Miyakawa, director of IP core technology at Innovative IP Architecture Centre, said: Deploying an IPv6-compatible system can require time, so now is the time for enterprises to begin preparing for the transition, starting by consider just how badly the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses could impact the company’s overall ICT system.
“The new dual-stack service will enable companies to smoothly transition from IPv4 to IPv6 via a fully managed, high-quality global network, backed by the unmatched know-how and experience of NTT Com, operator of the world’s first commercial global IPv6 backbone since 2001.
