- Jen Linkova honoured with the final Itojun Service Award for advancing IPv6 deployment and protocol refinement.
- The award honours Dr Jun-ichiro ‘Itojun’ Hagino and his pivotal role in global IPv6 adoption through the KAME Project.
What happened
At IETF 121 in Dublin, Jen Linkova received the final Itojun Service Award. She was honoured for her tireless work to make IPv6 deployable in enterprise networks. Her advocacy and contributions to refining IPv6 protocols in standards processes earned this recognition. Kenjiro Cho, Director of IIJ Research Laboratory, and Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of ISOC, presented the award.
The award commemorates Dr Jun-ichiro ‘Itojun’ Hagino, a pioneering IPv6 researcher who passed away in 2007 at 37. Itojun’s work on the KAME Project laid the foundation for IPv6 in BSD UNIX. This contribution drove global adoption of IPv6 and is often compared to the BSD4.2 initiative, which introduced sockets and IPv4.
As IPv6 deployment shifts to organisational efforts, the Itojun Award Committee has decided to conclude the prize. Jen Linkova, a Google engineer, is a fitting final recipient, continuing the legacy of earlier honourees like Eric Kline and Lorenzo Colitti. Her work keeps the vision of a stronger, IPv6-powered Internet alive.
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Also read: What is the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)?
Why it is important
The final Itojun Service Award marks a key moment in IPv6 adoption. Honouring Jen Linkova at IETF 121 recognises her crucial work in making IPv6 deployable in enterprise networks and improving its protocols. Her efforts keep IPv6 evolving to meet the demands of modern connectivity.
The award also honours Dr Jun-ichiro ‘Itojun’ Hagino, whose work on the KAME Project paved the way for IPv6’s global adoption. His legacy highlights the power of individual contributions to shaping Internet infrastructure.
Ending the award reflects a shift in IPv6 deployment from individual efforts to organised initiatives. Naming Jen Linkova as the final recipient underscores her role in continuing Itojun’s vision. It also emphasises the need for ongoing collaboration to create a secure, scalable, and resilient Internet driven by IPv6.
