Just 98 days left until the supply of internet addresses runs out. That was the message from Geoff Huston, the world’s most frequently consulted source of information about the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, speaking today before presentation of the 2010 IPv6 Awards.
The solution to the pressing problem of internet addresses running out is version 6 of the Internet Protocol (IPv6). As part of its efforts to highlight the need to switch to the new protocol, the Dutch IPv6 Taskforce today presented the second annual IPv6 Awards.
Award winners
The 2010 IPv6 Awards were presented during the ECP-EPN annual congress. The prizes – which ranged from 15,000 euros cash, through a week’s consultancy, to a laptop plus one year’s mobile internet access – were handed out at a ceremony led by Erik Huizer, chairman of the IPv6 Taskforce. They were made available by SIDN, SURFnet, Stratix, Stichting NLnet, XS4all and KPN.
Internet Service Providers: XS4ALL
In its ISP role, XS4ALL offers native IPv6 to its clients. Both the pilot project and the main launch attracted a lot of media interest. The initiative has therefore boosted awareness of IPv6.
Business: GeenStijl
The award jury described GeenStijl.nl as an outstanding and energetic site that attracts a lot of visitors. With assistance from service provider Prolocation, GeenStijl has been running on IPv6 for just over a year. Affiliated sites such as Dumpert.nl have recently been migrated to native IPv6 as well.
Government & Not-for-profit: Ministry of General Affairs
The Ministry of General Affairs secured an award for its new website www.rijksoverheid.nl, which has supported IPv6 since its launch. From 1 January 2011, this new pan-governmental site will replace the sixteen corporate websites operated by the separate government ministries.
Education & Research: Twente Students’ Net
Twente Students’ Net took the award in the Education & Research category. The organisation migrated the University of Twente students’ internet access services to IPv6 and documented the project in a way that won the jury’s praise.
Publication & Educational Curriculum: NGN
‘The IPv6 Manual for the IT Professional’ secured an award for NGN. The publication, which came out in December 2009, was admired by the jurors for its relevance, scope and impact.
Commendation award: Pieter-Tjerk de Boer
Pieter-Tjerk de Boer was nominated in the category ‘Publication & Educational Curriculum’. Although he didn’t win that prize, the jury felt that his efforts in the field of telematics at the University of Twente deserved a commendation award. The jury was particularly impressed by his original idea of making study material accessible only using IPv6.
For more details check out www.sidn.nl