The Cisco Knowledge Network IP Next Generation Networks portal will offer an ongoing series of webcasts designed to educate engineering and technical operations teams that are making decisions on and implementing new technologies.As everyone is aware, the global pool of IPv4 addresses is scheduled to run out sometime in 2011. Time is of the essence. With the looming exhaustion, Cisco is stepping up with the Carrier-Grade IPv6 (CGv6) solution which enables service providers to:

• Preserve their IPv4 assets and investments
• Prepare to deliver interoperable IPv6 services
• Prosper from accelerated growth and innovation

While the majority of Cisco's portfolio already supports IPv6, a new approach is needed at the core and edge to avoid the imminent IPv4 address depletion hampering a dual stack migration approach. Cisco has delivered a new level of scale for translation and tunneling technologies with CGv6. The solution includes the Carrier-Grade Services Engine (CGSE) for the CRS-1 and new software for the ASR 1000 today and ASR 9000 in the future—the industry's widest SP IPv6 enabled product portfolio—and Cisco Services for CGv6.

The IPv6 transition has high impact on the carrier infrastructure market with customers around the world including NTT, Free and CERNET agreeing on the need for a smooth and methodical transition to IPv6. Cisco’s comprehensive offering, including professional services for CGv6 helps customers make this transition in a structured and progressive manner.