Cody Christman

1. Recently Verio announced that the company expanded IPv6 access. What is the company's goal in integrating IPv6 into future network deployments?

IPv6 is already fully integrated into The NTT Communications Global IP Network.  Verio (and NTT Communications globally) runs a fully dual stack (IPv4/v6) network, unlike some others providing IPv6 that run separate networks or use IPv6 tunnels across their IPv6 backbone. 

On the hosting side of the business, IPv4/v6 dual stack virtual private server or managed private server hosting offering (IPv4/v6 dual VPS/MPS v2) provides early adopters the opportunity to develop IPv6-enabled products and services in a cost-effective test environment before transitioning an entire infrastructure to the new Internet protocol. Future planned enhancements to the product include the ability to host multiple IP addresses through v6-enabled sites. IPv6 enablement of sites can also facilitate collaboration between sites and servers and allow businesses to take advantage of IPv6-enabled applications.

2. Verio exhibited at the North American IPv6 Technology Conference, September 19-22, at San Jose State University. What were your expectations from the event?

Verio was pleased to support the recent North American IPv6 Technology conference by sponsoring and exhibiting at the event.  Additionally, Verio provided IPv6 WAN access, which gave conference attendees the chance to use the new off-net IPv6 tunnel service, which we just rolled-out at the event. Overall, the conference gave us a great opportunity to network with others in the IPv6 field and show customers the enhancements that IPv6 offers through hands-on demonstrations.

3. In what ways does IPv6 exceed the capabilities of the current IPv4 protocol?

IPv6 promises Internet users easier administration, tighter security, greater mobility and superior reliability, alongside the ultimate benefit of an enhanced addressing scheme over IPv4. IPv6 provides sufficient address space, bringing back the end to end nature that the Internet was designed for in the beginning.  This will benefit a number of applications including VoIP, gaming, and IM to name a few.  It also allows for security to be implemented end to end which is a major benefit over today's security gateways with unsecured LAN segments.  Basically, all of the features that were an afterthought in IPv4 (QoS, IPsec, MobileIP, etc.) are built into IPv6.  IPv6 also supports extension headers which allow for new features, not known today, to be simply built into the protocol. It is these types of services the company's customers were demanding, and have ultimately been provided by Verio.

4. What are you planning in near future to increase your customer base?

Verio will continue to launch new IPv6-based products.  For example, we will continue to build out our suite of security offerings.  Our off-net tunneling product allows customers of other ISPs that do not offer IPv6 to gain access to Verio's commercial IPv6 network, greatly reducing the barriers to accessing IPv6 for business across the country, as well as for education and research institutions and government entities.