Cox Teams with Business Customers for Global Internet Test on World IPv6 Day

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Jun 06, 2011, 09:57 ET

ATLANTA, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 8, Cox Business and several of the company's customers will participate in the first global-scale test of next generation Internet addresses. World IPv6 Day is coordinated by The Internet Society (ISOC) to encourage adoption of IPv6 Internet addresses.

Similar to the 7-to-10-digit phone number migration required in large metro areas, the rapid growth of online devices and applications is pushing the current Internet address schema (IPv4) to its limits. IPv6 has a robust address space and consists of 128 bits as compared to 32 bits in IPv4 - resulting in approximately 340 undecillion (5 x 10(38)) IPv6 addresses versus the 4.2 billion available through IPv4.

In 2010, Cox began exchanging native IPv4 and IPv6 traffic dual-stack with select business customers and is now conducting residential service trials with Cox employees. The global IPv6 transition will take years to complete, therefore it is important to demonstrate the ability to support both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously to ensure no service interruptions.

"We are testing IPv6 with Cox Business customers early to ensure that they can provide a consistent experience to their end users," said Jeff Finkelstein, senior director of architecture, Cox Communications. "Cox's dual-stack IPv6 deployment allows customers the ability to continue leveraging current IPv4 capability while incrementally adding the IPv6 support required for the next generation of network devices and applications."

Cox Business customers participating in World IPv6 Day include ARIN, FastQ Communications, InsureMyTrip, Jefferson Lab, Kwikom, Login and Promptlink. These businesses will access multiple Web sites running IPv6 on World IPv6 Day and monitor interoperability with their internal systems. Anecdotes will be used to determine successful points of integration and highlight opportunities for improvement as the global transition approaches.

IPv4 address space is expected to be depleted in 2012, when all Internet customers must begin slowly migrating their devices and content to IPv6. Cox's core network is fully IPv6 compliant and the company is transitioning the network edge and support infrastructure to meet customer demand.

"Using a voice analogy, when someone makes a call you want to make sure the phone rings on the other end," continued Finkelstein. "Cox is deploying support for IPv6 in a way that is transparent to the customer experience and is working to ensure all networks, systems and products are fully IPv6-enabled."

To learn more about IPv6, World IPv6 Day and Cox's role in the transition listen to the most recent Cox Business Report show on BlogTalkRadio.

Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 260,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. According to Vertical Systems Group, Cox Business is the fourth largest provider of business Ethernet services in the U.S. based on customer ports and has been consistently recognized for its leadership among small/midsize business data service providers. Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports more than 800,000 business phone lines. For more information about Cox Business, Click Here or call 1-800-396-1609.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for six years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications