VIC6-link

Built By
IPv6Now-link

aigroup-link



Seed Funding
VictorianGovernment-link



Core Nodes
LateralPlains-link
La Trobe University link


Industry Nodes
Centre for Health Innovation link

Sponsors
LateralPlains-link PPS-link NeighbourhoodCable-link Cisco-link Nominum-link Matrium-link AARNet-link La Trobe-link eVision link

Maddocks link

Phase 1: VIC6 Awareness and Construction


The purpose of the project is to provide an industry facility in the form of a distributed IPv6 testbed, that will enable Victorian organisations to examine and test IPv6 implementation, integration and innovation, with a view to deploying the protocol within their networks, products and services.

Phase 1 required Ai Group and IPv6Now to promote Victorian industry awareness of IPv6 and the opportunities available to industry through the VIC6 TestNet. To this end, Ai Group and IPv6Now ran a series of workshops to capture industry input into IPv6 requirements and directions. At the same time, IPv6Now started designing, constructing and testing the VIC Testbed Network, from December 2008 to March 2009.


December 2008: Introduction to VIC6 Workshops

Initial briefing workshops were held on 9 and 10 December 2008, at the Greenhill Enterprise Centre, University Drive, Mount Helen, Ballarat and the Research and Development Park, La Trobe University, Bundoora.

Tony Hill of IPv6Now gave the presentation Introduction to VIC6 at both workshops. Ai Group and IPv6Now began the process of gathering industry input and involvement with the project, and eliciting resource commitments and in-kind contributions from sponsors. The project sponsors (see sidebar) have provided significant assistance to VIC6.


February 2009: VIC6 Progress Workshops

Progress workshop on VIC6 were held on 17 and 18 February 2009 in Melbourne and Ballarat. Based upon IPv6Now's extensive experience with IPv6 networks, the TestNet was well under way, and Tony Hill gave a presentation on VIC6 Progress.

In February 2009 the first edition appeared of IPv6Now's newsletter, The Standard, with major articles on VIC6, including the concept diagram of the Testbed Network.


March 2009: VIC6 TestNet Constructed

The IPv6-capable network has multiple nodes, accessible from anywhere on the IPv4 Internet. Its Network Operations Centre is based at PPS Internet, and the Primary Node at Lateral Plains in Ballarat. Other nodes are in Bundoora and Melbourne. VIC6 can be used remotely, or equipment can be installed and tested at the nodes. The IPv6 network can be used for:

  • Designing corporate transition solutions
  • Developing experience and expertise with IPv6
  • Testing software and hardware for IPv6 compatibility
  • Capacity-testing network equipment and architectures
  • Trial and development of innovative IPv6 products