Routers,+Switches,+Access+Points,+and+IPv6

A //r outer // buffers and forwards packets of data across networks toward a certain destination. A //switch// forwards data from one device on the network directly to the intended recipient without sending it to all other devices. //Access points// extend the range of wireless networks and usually connect to a wired network to relay data between wireless devices and wired devices. In 2008, federal agencies will adopt a new Internet protocol architecture called Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). This network layer Internet protocol (IP) standard enables electronic devices to exchange data across a packet-switched Internetwork. It follows IPv4 as the second version of the IP to be adopted formally for general use. The main feature of IPv6 is the larger address space: 128 bits. IPv6 will provide additional addresses to networked devices, including cell phones and PDAs. There are advantages and, currently, some disadvantages or challenges to this new architecture. The increased number of addresses available for networked devices and the encryption of data by the application running on the device allows for peer-to-peer data sharing. The challenge with data sharing at this level is the inability of proprietary data to be checked for authorized release. As the time draws closer for the adoption of IPv6, governments and educational institutions with networks will need to address security and other related issues. At a minimum, school networks should have a firewall that performs some level of local blocking and that can support IPv6.