Consortium develops Linux-based IPv6 router

Advanced IPv6-enabled network AARNet CEO Chris Hancock, however, expressed doubts about the urgency of local uptake of the technology, labelling it "very slow".

"There don't appear to be too many drivers, incentives or compelling reasons for users to embrace IPv6," Hancock said, adding most use appears to be experimental or satisfying the curiosity of enthusiasts. When asked if AARNet is realizing the benefits of IPv6, Hancock said there is very little or "perhaps nothing" it can achieve with IPv6 that cannot be achieved with IPv4.

"Perhaps other than [to] be prepared and in readiness for IPv6, which we clearly are," he said. "In fact, with the advent of NAT the pressure on IP [numbers] has been significantly reduced." Hancock believes businesses will not move until there are compelling business reasons for adopting and implementing IPv6.

Dr Ciprian Popoviciu, a technical leader at networking giant Cisco, said there is more interest in the technology but people have shifted away from the idea of a need for a killer app.

"IPv6 will be the base of large-scale networks and people are starting to use it as a tool to solve problems," Popoviciu said.

"For example, Comcast is the largest cable provider in the US and with the size of the network it ran out of private IP addresses. So it has been actively pursuing the preparation of cable networks for IPv6 deployment."

Comcast can use IPv6 to manage devices in its cable network, which Popoviciu said is a good example of using the technology as a solution to a practical problem.

Popoviciu said fresh estimates of 2011 to 2012 for large-scale transitions to IPv6 are more realistic than the previous estimate of 2009.