DURHAM, N.H., July 12, 2018 – The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance services for the networking industry, today announced expanded testing capabilities that meet the requirements outlined in the newly released update to the USGv6 profile, a test program designated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that provides proof of compliance to IPv6 specifications and increases user confidence in the interoperability of common network products.
The revised profile aims to achieve several goals that include updating to the latest IPv6 standards, testing of products in “IPv6-only” environments, expanding to test IPv6 applications and services, and providing a streamlined platform for other organizations and governments to utilize the profile and test methodology. Users of the current version of USGv6 are recommended to fully migrate to the new profile and test program within 2 years.
“With IPv6 deployments at 20% globally and forecast for continued growth as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) drive demand for expanded IP addressing, it’s imperative that equipment suppliers and application vendors comply to USGv6 when pursuing government agency contracts,” said Timothy Winters, UNH-IOL Senior Executive, Software and IP Networking. “As the only North American lab currently offering an accredited testing program to USGv6, UNH-IOL is uniquely positioned to demonstrate network devices and applications working in IPv6-only environments, as well as offer guidance on the procedures and requirements for providing conformance details to the USG.”
The USGv6 profile includes a large set of RFCs published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), encompassing basic IPv6 functionality, as well as specific requirements and key optional capabilities for routing, security, multicast, mobility, network management, and quality of service. The profile also contains a NIST established set of capability requirements for IPv6 aware firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The latest update to the USGv6 profile is aligned with several global programs to aid in IPv6 deployments, including the IPv6 Ready Logo program.
“The continued growth and evolution of the Internet will require a significant increase in IPv6 deployments,” said Doug Montgomery, Manager of the USGv6 Program at NIST. “Over the last decade, the USG has established a leadership position in the acquisition of IPv6 capable products and deployment of IPv6 services. The core of the USG strategy is ensuring that all newly purchased networked systems have IPv6 capabilities. Current USG acquisition regulations require government purchases of networked IT to leverage the USGv6 Profile and USGv6 Test Program to ensure the IPv6 capabilities of all products and services going forward. The revised USGv6 profile and test program incorporates lessons learned from their use to date and prepares users for the next phase of IPv6 adoption.”
For more details about the UNH-IOL USGv6 testing and measurement capabilities, please visit the UNH-IOL USGv6 Testing Program web page.