Old H1-B petition reinitiation

[vara0608]

Hi since last year i am in us and working on L1-B. I had a old H1-B petition which got approved 10/01/2008 and its validity upto 09/29/2011. I heard H1-B

petition is valid upto 6 years and we can reinitiate the old petition and apply for new H1-B irrespective on quota.
1)Would like to know that true and before what date i can apply for this.
2)should i apply again with old consultant or i can apply through any one