 backbone routers. The current IPv4 Internet routing infrastructure is a combination of both flat and hierarchical routing. In IPv6 more hierarchical routing enables shorter routing tables. QoS Plan There is a need for better support for real-time delivery of data - also called quality of service (QoS). While standards for QoS exist for IPv4, real-time traffic support relies on the IPv4 type of service (TOS) field and the identification of the payload, typically using a UDP or TCP port. Unfortunately, the IPv4 TOS field has limited functionality and over time there were various local interpretations. In addition, payload identification using a TCP and UDP port is not possible when the IPv4 packet payload is encrypted. New fields in the IPv6 header define how traffic is handled and identified. Traffic identification using a flow label field in the IPv6 header allows routers to identify and provide special handling for packets belonging to a flow, a series of packets between a source and destination. Because the traffic is identified in the IPv6 header, support for QoS can be achieved even when the packet payload is encrypted through IPSec. Configuration Most current IPv4 implementations must be either manually configured or use an address configuration protocol such as dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). With more computers and devices using IP, there is a need for a simpler and more automatic configuration of addresses and other configuration settings that do not rely on the administration of a DHCP infrastructure. Hosts on a link can automatically configure themselves with IPv6 addresses for the link (called link-local addresses) and with addresses derived from prefixes advertised by local routers. Management Plan Features for simplified network management. Networks and Technologies Comparison fixed access - mobile access Powerful computing Limited computing environment environment Medium to high bandwidth Low bandwidth Low latency High latency Wireless The Internet network Generally reliable network Var