Grid Enterprise Services:
IPv6 "Mini"-Business Scenario Workshop

Objective of Meeting

The objective of this mini-business scenario session was to uncover what is perceived by the participants as  the current and critical issues that must be addressed for a successful deployment of IPv6, and from this effort what may constitute suitable "scope and bounds" for an initial IPv6 product standard and certification program. The goal is to produce an industry-based IPv6-capable product standard and certification program by first quarter of 2006.

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, if not, the highest priority requirements for defense systems, yet until now vendors have been reluctant to establish an effective standard because of uncertainty over the priorities of customers. In association with IPv6 Forum, the North American IPv6 Task Force, and the IPv6 Transition Offices of the US service branches, The Open Group membership, which comprises vendors, integrators, and end-user organizations, is addressing this challenge in its GridES Forum (Grid Enterprise Services). 

Summary

The need for this "mini"-business scenario exercise became apparent in a recent joint meeting between The Open Group and the IPv6 Transition Offices of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. There were two concerns that were expressed at this meeting. The first was the lack of a definition of "scope and bounds" for an initial deployment of IPv6 to meet their 2008 mandate. The other was the need to have an indicator that could be referenced that clearly articulated that an item being considered for procurement could provide reasonable assurance that would meet current and projected requirements. More information on business scenarios can be found at The Open Group Services to Consortia.

An overview of Business Scenario processes was given by The Open Group. Input presentations to the business scenario were given by the US Air Force, Navy, IPv6 Forum, and University of New Hampshire Interoperability Labs. The Army intended to participate in this exercise but their representative was called away at the last moment. They indicated their intent to participate in future activity. 

Outputs

A very rough draft of a pain point document was created. The particular pain points were evaluated in terms of priority and value against the allocation of resources. After being further reviewed by the participants of this session the document will be made available for public review. 

Next Steps

The output from this exercise was used as input in establishing priorities in the following session. The focus of that session was on evaluating a proposed draft IPv6 product standard submitted by the DISA IPv6 Standards work group. 

It was determined that the the "mini"-business scenario was a worthwhile exercise but needed broader participation to be truly effective. Additional participants were identified and this exercise will probably be repeated in a future session.

Links

Overview of Meeting Agenda, Current Status, and Business Scenarios: IPv6 Mini-Business Scenario Workshop 

Input from the Air Force: Air Force IPv6 Transition Challenges 

Input from the Navy: Navy IPv6 Transition Challenges 

Input from the IPv6 Forum: IPv6 Forum/NAv6TF Input to Business Scenario 

Input from the New Hampshire Interoperability Labs: IPv6 Ready Logo Program - Current Processes and Procedures 

Mini-Business Scenario Pain Point Document: Available after review and comment by session participants.