Resumen
This article focuses on Internet. In the early 1990's, users, vendors and researchers became concerned that a major overhaul would be needed to accommodate Internet's expected growth. The harshest critics forecast that the 32-bit v4 address space would be exhausted by 1996, compelling an immediate move to the next generation of the Internet Protocol (IP). With over 70% of the traffic generated by commercial applications on today's privatized Internet, reports calling for guaranteed or improved quality of service and security, as well as a range of other enhancements, have made the move to IP seem an absolute imperative for Internet's survival. Thus motivated, the Internet Engineering Task Force has been moving to develop IP version 6 while continuing to refine both the basic protocol and a suite of companion specifications. Earlier this year, Cisco Systems Inc., a communications gear vendor that plays a leading role in protocol development, even released version 6 as a free upgrade for most of its routers.