Technical Infrastructure for USG IPv6 Adoption

OMB Memorandum M-05-22 directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop the technical infrastructure (standards and testing) necessary to support wide scale adoption of IPv6 in the US Government (USG). In response NIST developed a technical standards profile for US Government acquisition of IPv6 Hosts and Routers, and a specification for Network Protection Devices. The Host and Router profile includes a forward looking set of RFCs published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), encompassing basic IPv6 functionality, and specific requirements and key optional capabilities for routing, security, multicasting, mobility, network management, and quality of service. The Network Protection Device profile contains a NIST established set of capability requirements for IPv6 aware firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

In addition to the profiles, plans are being developed for a testing program that will enable products to be tested for conformance to the profile by accredited laboratories.

The profile is embodied as a set of recommendations of the NIST, and the test program supports open and voluntary involvement. While neither contribution from NIST carriers specific policy as developed, it is envisioned that these pieces can provide a technical infrastructure upon which other policies and plans can be based.

This page links to information on the USG IPv6 profile and Testing Program. It includes links to current and prior versions of the profile, and associated information.

· Call for Comments on USG IPv6 Profile draft version 2 - due February 29th 2008

· Call for Participation in an USG IPv6 Test Program / Accreditors Meeting –

• Agenda and Talks of the Accreditors Meeting.

· USG IPv6 Profile – current and historical information

· USG IPv6 Test Program – current and historical information.

· Related Information/References

Comments and/or questions about these efforts can be directed to usgv6-project@antd.nist.gov.