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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-size:16.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333'><a href="http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20101004064016/IPv6:%20A%20Worthwhile%20Change%20and%20Restructuring%20for%20Middle%20East%20Businesses">IPv6: A Worthwhile Change and Restructuring for Middle East Businesses</a></span></b></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br><br></span><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#990000'>Organisations in this region should not miss out on this opportunity to implement Ipv6 technology. If they want to continue to grow their business and increase their online presence, they must now begin the migration process towards IPv6, says networking expert, </span></i><b><i><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Ali Ahmar</span></i></b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#990000'>, Regional Sales Manager, MENA, Brocade Communications</span></i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 4<sup>th</sup> October, 2010 : Ten years ago or so, computer scientists, researchers and internet specialists announced that a day would come when no more internet protocol (IP) addresses would be available. At that time, the number of businesses that took this prophecy on board was few and far between. However, with the huge and widespread development of the internet and the growing number of items likely to have an IP address, it appears that those predictions were indeed accurate. If we decide to retain the same IPv4 protocol that the internet currently relies on, in the next three or four years we may find ourselves faced with a shortage of IP addresses. This means a business will not be able to install new servers, create new internet/intranet/extranet projects or develop smart objects.</span><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Fortunately such a disaster is not likely to occur because engineers from all around the world have worked to develop a new protocol, IPv6, the standard adopted in 1998 and which has subsequently been implemented. IPv6 is both revolutionary and yet classical in design. If the engineers are to be trusted, the solution is revolutionary because it will create an infinite number of new IP addresses, enough to anticipate the next decade at least.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Therefore, <u>IPv6 will be able to integrate the billions of smart communication objects that soon will be part of our day-to-day lives</u>. If today's internet is still synonymous with computers or smart phones, soon our very own surroundings will be connected to the network (<u>such as cars, heating systems, refrigerators</u> - the latter may soon be able to tell you which food and beverages you have run out of) and will be able to exchange information. However, IPv6 also has a very traditional conception as it amalgamates all the patches that have been added to IPv4 over the years and improves them. Many contributors to the standard have also got used to adding <u>new features to make IPv6 more robust, efficient and secure</u>. It is rare to see a ready-to-use technology become available and which is more efficient than the previous version and recognised by the entire computing community. Consequently, its promotion is not driven by marketing considerations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Installing IPv6 will have a great <b>impact</b> on businesses, but there will be <b>challenges</b></span></u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>. As with any technology infrastructure, <u>IPv6 is complex to implement</u> and integrate and the transition cannot take place without careful consideration (both beforehand and after installation) especially <u>in terms of training staff adequately etc</u>. Some companies are still reluctant and are deterred by technological difficulties or economic constraints, but if their reluctance is legitimate they must understand that it is better to undertake a smooth transition today rather than being forced to accept something they are inadequately prepared for tomorrow. This is foolish especially when all the elements have been combined to make this changeover as smooth as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Aware that sudden technological breakthroughs often result in failure, IPv6's designers have been smart enough to create a new <u>protocol that can coexist with the old IP standard on the same infrastructure</u>. This <b>dual mode</b> on which the two protocols work together aims to ease the transition and will give users the best of both worlds while enabling rapid uptake. For their part, suppliers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrators are prepared to assist organisations to immediately undertake this switchover. They have all the know-how necessary to efficiently support their customers during this transition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Organisations should not miss out on this opportunity. If they want to continue to grow their business and increase their online presence, they must now begin the migration process towards IPv6</span></u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>. Rather than a constraint, this strategy will offer tremendous opportunities to grow and offer new services to customers. It will help businesses to penetrate new markets and become more competitive and productive. Today, more than ever, a migration process to IPv6 appears to be a necessary structural change for businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Channel opportunities</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The imminent shortage of IP addresses resulting from the older IPv4 means that sooner rather than later the channel will have to embrace the new IPv6 protocol. As the network encompasses ever more elements in everyday life (not just in business), providers and consumers alike will see the need for extra IP addresses grow rapidly.<br><br>How does this migration present an opportunity to the channel? As Organisations mull over the pros and cons of transitioning to the new protocol, the channel has the opportunity to educate businesses about the risks of not embracing IPv6 and thereby be seen as strategic advisors. In this role, the channel can strengthen relationships with customers and cement its position as trusted partners that drive business transformation. This is a win-win situation.<br><br>Moreover, it also lays the foundation for organic revenue growth as customers will likely return to the same channel partner for counsel in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal dir=RTL><span dir=LTR style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#3333FF;background:white'>Abdelfattah ABUQAYYAS, PhD</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'><br></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#3333FF;background:white'>ICT Counselor<br>CITC-KSA Mobile: +966556642230</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/abuqayyas" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue;background:white'>http://twitter.com/abuqayyas</span></a><span style='background:white'><br></span>Facebook: <a href="mailto:afabuqayyas@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue;background:white'>afabuqayyas@gmail.com</span></a><span style='background:white'><br></span>Google Buzz: <a href="http://www.google.com/profiles/afabuqayyas" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue;background:white'>http://www.google.com/profiles/afabuqayyas</span></a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#17365D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal dir=RTL><span dir=LTR><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><pre style="white-space:normal"><br>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>Disclaimer:<br>This message and its attachment, if any, are confidential and may contain legally<br>privileged information. 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