GridES Forum Members'
Meeting
Status of an IPv6 Product Standard Initiative
Objective of Meeting
Due to the fundamental limitations in the current IPv4 protocol standard, the IETF defined the next-generation Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 was designed to overcome the limitations of IPv4 by expanding available address space, improving routing, providing end-to-end security, facilitating mobile communications, providing new enhancements to quality of service, and easing system management burdens.
Interoperability between IPv6-capable devices is one of the highest priority requirements for both industry and government entities in the IT sector. However, it has been a challenge for governments and industry to establish and implement effective product requirement standards and define conformant products because of the uncertainty regarding business priorities and the timeframe to transition to IPv6. With the deployment of IPv6, there is an opportunity to ensure that these next-generation IPv6 systems are built with interoperable components. The Open Group membership, comprised of vendors, integrators, and end-user organizations, is addressing this challenge. An objective of The Open Group GridES Forum, in association with IPv6 Forum, the North American IPv6 Task Force, and the IPv6 Transition Offices of the service branches of the US DoD, is to produce an industry-based IPv6-capable
Product Standard and Certification Program by first quarter of 2006.
The intent of this session of the GridES Forum was to review the current status of this initiative and to plan the next steps forward.
Summary
Since the San Francisco meeting in January, the following events have occurred or are currently in progress. They can be summarized as follows:
Three meetings have been held in the Washington DC area with OSD and DoD IPv6 Transition Office. These meetings were held to help explain The Open Group standard building and certification processes as well as the IPv6 Forum status and vision. The outcome of these meetings
was that OSD requested that a set of "Memorandum of Understanding" be developed that define the relationship and roles of the various parities needed to develop an IPv6 Product Standard and formal
Certification Program.
Two “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) were submitted to DoD for review. These MoUs defined the parties required, roles and relationships in developing an IPv6 Product Standard and formal certification program. The first MoU covered the relationship between the DoD and The Open Group. The second MoU defined the relationship and roles between The Open Group and the IPv6 Forum.
At the meeting with the DoD IPv6 Transition Office, the IPv6 Forum announced that it endorses the concept of a formal Open Group IPv6
Certification Program to replace its own IPv6 Ready Logo program. The specific details as to how to transition the programs
were not specified at that time.
DoD IPv6 Transition Office is now undergoing an internal review and has apparently suspended any external activity. Current estimate is that its internal review will not be completed until July 2005.
We have been told by our industry members that the current delays in the development of a sufficiently defined industry-based IPv6 Product Standard will affect their ability to implement and deploy product in the mandated DoD timeframe. In order to make forward progress on an industry-based IPv6
Product Standard and formal Certification Program while the DoD IPv6 Transition Office is in its internal review cycle, IPv6 Forum and The Open Group have decided to jointly develop an MoU between them without the DoD's participation. This MoU will take a more global and industrial position and will not be DoD or any other government agency-specific. The DoD will be re-engaged once they have completed their own internal review. We believe this position best serves industry, the DoD, as well as other government agencies in meeting their goals for procurable certified COTS IPv6 components. The MoU between The Open Group and the IPv6 Forum is in its final review and is expected to be signed by mid-May. Once the MoU is in place, our respective memberships will be re-engaged in proceeding with the development of
the IPv6 Product Standard and IPv6 Certification Program. This is intended to include the military service branches as well as other government agencies as industry partners. Since this is at a very early stage, participants will have the opportunity to input their own requirements and provide valuable feedback in shaping the development of the industry-based IPv6
Product Standard and Certification Program. Current projected date for when an IPv6
Certification Program will be available for first submission is projected to occur in the first quarter of 2006.
The Open Group is investigating a possible EU road tour on IPv6 certification to engage EU forces and NATO as well as possible funding opportunities for program development. This is projected for sometime in June.
The IPv6 Forum and The Open Group are also looking into the possibility of a joint technical conference to occur sometime in the April 2006 timeframe in Washington DC
A meeting will be held with the IPv6 Transition Offices of the US service branches to discuss how to proceed with developing a Product Standard,
Certification Program, as well as defining the scope and limits of the program. The outcome of this meeting will help form the bases for the July conference agenda.
A proposed Product Standard consisting of DoD requirements will be released for review and comment approximately mid-June. This will be reviewed at the next members' meeting in July.
There has been a request to develop a track for the July conference on core services and manageability of network devices as part of the SOA initiative.
The Open Group and the IPv6 Forum will complete and sign an MoU.
