A Little SIP.

              The need to migrate to IPv6 from IPv4 is increasing every week and this week is no exception. This week we have SIP, Session Initiation Protocol, teaming up with IPV6 and showing the interoperability of the two technologies and the benefits they contribute to business operations. At the end of the month the international SIP Forum will be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco (Epstein 2011). This convention will showcase the opportunities of “Multiple SIP-based applications in different network architectures” (Epstein 2011). SIP is quickly becoming the standard of how to control sessions such as video and voice communications over IP. The protocol is used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party sessions. The annual forum will call to attention the advanced space, better security, and increased performance of IPv6. It will demonstrate “how crucial IPv6 interoperability is to the industry as the next generation Internet protocol continues to be introduced to the market. Participating companies will have the option to test and review SIP-related video and telepresence applications as well” (Epstein 2011). This forum will bring together industry leaders and their devices and put them to the test of IPv6 interoperability. This forum also allows companies a neutral zone in which they can test the capabilities of their devices and figure out any technical issues before manufacturing their devices. This protocol is quite secure as well in which it allows “private” data to pass through current standard network infrastructures if both sides are using the protocol. Without getting too technical the packets carry a “Modified payload within the SIP message” allowing it to talk with both sides in a standardized way (Hofmann 2009). Even if companies have available IPv4 addresses there must be an increased attention for companies to develop an IPv6 transition plan as soon as possible for continuous support of their business functions such as voice and video over IP which will only continue to expand as the technology we use will further demand it in the future such as SIP (Ovum Research 2011).  

Epstein, J. October 7, 2011. SIPIT, Annual SIP Forum to Take Place in Monte Carlo. Retrieved from http://sip-trunking.tmcnet.com/topics/sip-trunking/articles/226940-sipit-annual-sip-forum-take-place-monte-carlo.htm

Hofmann, B. February 26, 2009. Using SIP for Flexible Integration in Call Centers. Retrieved from http://ivr.tmcnet.com/topics/sip-server/articles/51289-using-sip-flexible-integration-call-centers.htm

Ovum Research. October 7, 2011. Ovum: IPv6 Transition – Why the Rush? Retrieved from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/10/07/248098/Ovum-IPv6-transition-why-the-rush.htm