6NET - An Overview

6NET was a European project that aimed to demonstrate how IPv6 technology can enable the continued growth of the Internet.

6NET’s objectives were to:

• Develop and maintain an international pilot IPv6 network
• Test migration strategies for integrating IPv6 networks with existing IPv4 infrastructure
• Introduce and test new IPv6 services and applications
• Evaluate address allocation, routing and DNS operation for IPv6 networks
• Collaborate with other IPv6 activities and standards bodies
• Promote IPv6 technology

In meeting these objectives, 6NET enabled better understanding of IPv6 development issues. It also helped Europe’s industry and research communities to play leading roles in defining and developing the next generation of networking technologies.

The 6NET project began on 1 January 2002 and initially ran for three years, ending on 31 December 2004. In December 2004, it was extended to June 2005. The project included 31 partners from commercial, research and academic sectors and was supported by the European Commission’s Information Society Technologies programme. Approximately 35% of the project’s 26.5 million Euro funding came from the Commission, with the rest being provided by the project partners.

DANTE was a principal contractor to the project until the end of December 2004, but did not participate in the project extension during 2005.