Industrial Ethernet: Room for more, IPv6

IP version 6 (IPv6), developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), will be the next generation Internet protocol, replacing IPv4 and providing additional IP addresses for the increasing number of mobile devices and network-ready appliances, including for industrial applications.

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Worldwide exhaustion of traditional IPv4 addresses has led to the rapid development and enhancement of Internet technology and network-ready appliances, according to Moxa, provider of industrial network hardware and software. In particular, Moxa said, IP version 6 (IPv6) has been developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as the next generation Internet protocol to replace IPv4 and provide additional IP addresses for the increasing number of mobile devices and network-ready appliances.

With a large number of appliances already functionally IPv6 network-ready, the transition to IPv6 is inevitable with foreseen implications for industrial control and automation arena in the near future as new industry developments and technology are introduced. As more network-enabled field instruments and control devices are required for various mission-critical applications, Moxa noted, IPv6 compliance has become a critical issue.

Since at some point IPv4 addresses will run out, and better support is needed for security, quality of service and mobility, Layer 2 DIN-rail managed switches can help until IPv6 is ready, Moxa said.

Learn more at http://www.moxa.com/event/Net/2009/IPv6/Trend.htm.

Also read, from Control Engineering:

Increase efficiency of industrial Ethernet network; and

Moxa NPort IA-5000A advanced device server.

- Edited by Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com