IPv6 conformance to standards
As more companies rely on Internet Protocol networks for day-to-day business, the IP infrastructure has been pushed to the limit, leaving critical elements of vital systems open to performance concerns. The next generation Internet Protocol (IPng) has been developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to be an evolutionary step from the current version, IPv4. Designed to run on high performance networks and, at the same time be efficient for low bandwidth networks, it provides advanced internet functionalities that will be required in the near future. To improve the reliability of IPv6 implementations, a comprehensive approach for the development of Quality of service (QoS) measurement tools was adopted within the 6QM project. Requirements in future IPv6 networks were analysed before proposing a flexible architecture for non-intrusive capturing of measurement data on internet data delivery services. Furthermore, the standardisation work on internet services performance and reliability conducted within IETF by the IP performance measurement (IPPM) working group was consulted. More than 30 different metrics for paths through the internet have been defined by the IPPM working group, along with distinct methodologies for their accurate measurement. A cumulative set, including metrics for estimating connectivity, one-way as well as round-trip delay and loss of selected packets, IP packet delay variation, has been completed and already published. The intent of the 6QM project consortium was to cooperate with the most appropriate body to submit standardisation contributions related to IPv6 Quality of service measurements. These will contribute to the creation of a protocol providing a base level of functionality that will allow different manufacturer's equipment implementing the metrics standards to interoperate.