IPv6 Deployment in Malaysia: The Issues and Challenges

The IPv6 was developed to replace and improve the existing Internet Protocol (IP), the IPv4 in many ways. Among the improved areas are addressing space, routing efficiency, header format, auto-configuration, Quality-of-Service (QoS), security and mobility. Although IPv6 promises enhancements to IPv4 standards, its deployment is rather slow in Malaysia. Even with the existence of MANIS -- the Malaysian IPv6 test-bed, still not many local network operators are concerned in deploying it and not many individuals are interested in experimenting with it. This paper examines the IPv6 prominent features in details, discusses on the IPv6 deployment around the world and studies some of the transition mechanisms available today.