Improved net protocol gets one stage closer

Yokogawa Electric Group has finished development of its long-awaited network converter. This will make the transition from the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to the new version 6 easier.

The expansion of the address space in the internet has, for a long time, been urgently needed. However, for that to happen, the compatibility of the existing standard with IPv6 must be guaranteed. Yokogawa's solution means the equipment can be installed in local networks while they are also being operated over IPv4. The converter separates off local sub-networks and mediates between v6 and v4 networks. Likely customers for the converter are telecommunications companies and internet service providers. However, as yet, there is no timetable for the introduction of IPv6. By Christian M. Wagner