IPv6 is the replacement for the aging IPv4, which has a cap of four billion addresses. IPv6 has “340 billion billion billion billion addresses”, enabling an end-to-end connection to any person, computer or machine that connects to the Internet.

A survey shows that 71% are unaware of IPv6, although there is increased understanding of the issues at a technical management level (74% informed).

The findings have been plucked from the second IPv6 Readiness Survey of the top 100 CIOs.

InternetNZ is part of a ‘New Zealand IPv6 Task Force’, which is a across-industry group supported by the Ministry of Economic Development and others from the ICT industry.

"Businesses need a plan to adopt IPv6 alongside their existing IPv4 in their networks and websites, and they need that plan yesterday," says Task Force Convenor Dr Murray Milner. "It is relatively low cost if the equipment and skills are acquired over time as equipment is replaced. It will be high cost and high risk if it has to be done in a hurry later. Therefore, management support and planning are crucial."