Pentagon official discusses move to new version of Internet

RESTON, Va. -- While the Defense Department tends to lead federal agencies in adopting technological advances, the military predicts that the switch to the next generation of the Internet will be driven by the need to use the next big "killer app."

Maj. Gen. Dennis Moran, who directs command, control, communications and computer systems for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told those gathered for the annual IPv6 summit here that a big advance in the field of logistics is likely to be the innovation that forces a faster switch to Internet protocol version 6 from the previous protocol known as IPv4.

The old system is running out of addresses as more devices -- anything from ovens to aircraft -- become controllable remotely over the Internet. In addition to the millions more Internet addresses, the new system has features to provide better security and ways to tell who is logging on from where.

Moran said the added security features and ability to enhance communication throughout a military operation make IPv6 "critical to achieving DOD's net-centric vision." "Our ability to control high-tech weapons in a secure environment in a secure way is absolutely critical," Moran said.

Managing costs slows the transition, he said, but so does making sure Defense does not get too far ahead of evolving standards and technology.

Other challenges are synchronizing the transition to the next-generation Internet while keeping other equipment functioning on the old system, and making sure all systems talk to each other.

While Moran said the backbone of the next Internet is in place, "it will take a few years to get firewalls and intrusion-detection devices capable of functioning in both [IPv6 and IPv4] environments."