The development of the next generation of the Internet Protocol, which will allow for the continued expansion of the Internet, is one of the most significant developments in the history of the communications industry. This book is written by members of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and others to explain the history and outcome of their efforts in developing the IPng technology. Delivered in a narrative style, the book offers an inside view of the rationale behind IPng and reveals its ramifications across a wide array of industries. You will find reviews of the IPng proposals and an overview of the technical criteria and the resulting current IPv6 protocol. In addition, industry and technical perspectives explore the impact of IPng on such areas as military applications, cable TV, large corporate networking, and more. Required reading for anyone in data communications, as well as corporate managers and technical professionals in nearly every field, this book will give you a broad perspective on the forces shaping the Internet and a fascinating glimpse into the coming era of communications technology.