Alert the Interwebs, we're running out of Internet Addresses!

[Meresgi]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovat...ex.html?hpt=C1

But, according to statements from prominent internet thinkers this week, we may run out of internet protocol -- or IP -- addresses in less than a year.

IP addresses are numbers assigned to all of the devices -- computers, phones, cars, wireless sensors, etc. -- that log on to the internet.

According to the blog ReadWriteWeb, the internet is changing and evolving so quickly -- with so many new types of devices connecting -- that we're running out of numbers to assign to all of these Web-enabled electronics.

My first thought when reading this was..."What the fuck is an internet thinker? And how do you become a prominent one?" Is that a degree now? Can I go to school to think about the interwebs and the tubes, and how they work?

[Counterfeit]

Al Gore will fix this

[Meresgi]

Al Gore will fix this

How can he? He's busy unclogging the tubes. And Time Warner cant do nothing about it because they still believe the internet is like a piece of pie, so once you take up all the pie there's none left! And they don't want that!

[Stumblingdrunk]

they've been warning of this for several years now

[Caiyuo]

While I don't know how quickly it can be achieved, this is the point of IPv6 and internal IP addresses within networks.

[Alleya]

Is it time for another "running out of IP addresses" article already? Time flies.

[SephYuyX]

I guess they never heard of IPv6.

[Ohemgee]

I guess they never heard of IPv6.

Hexadecimal is more complicated than numbers

[NeptuneRemora]

Hexadecimal is more complicated than numbers

http://hexadecimal.uoregon.edu/hex.jpg

You rang, Bob?

[Acturus]

Oh my god, Prince was right!

http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com/s...ll.of.Fame.jpg

[Yabby]

Most places/people have been IPv6 ready for years.

[#686578]

http://hexadecimal.uoregon.edu/hex.jpg

You rang, Bob?

That bitch aint got nothing on me

[Ryukus]

Really don't know a whole lot about IP's, but can't they just add another .XXX number to make new ones? And the next time they start running out again, add another three numbers?

[Kurp]

Really don't know a whole lot about IP's, but can't they just add another .XXX number to make new ones? And the next time they start running out again, add another three numbers?

There's already an adopted standard (IPv6, like mentioned above) that goes much farther than something like that. IPv6 uses eight groups of four hexadecimal digits and looks something like: 2093:1a4f:96a2:02f3:200a:002b:90ab:b09c compared to the familiar IPv4 which looks like: 192.168.001.001. There are also many more benefits other than just the amount of addresses available.

The difference in possible unique addresses is roughly:

IPv6: 340,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0

IPv4: 4,300,000,000

It's just a matter of adoption and transition now.

[Galkaeater]

There are also many more benefits other than just the amount of addresses available.

Like what? security?

[Dmitry]

Is it possible to continue with the already established IPv4 addressed while adding new addresses for new devices with IPv6, or is this going to have to be something that has to switch over completely?

I feel like this is a stupid question and I should know the answer.

[Kurp]

Like what? security?

-Security (required IPsec support)
-Mobility (can swap networks and retain your IP address)
-Efficiency (improved headers with extensions, more efficient multicast, jumbogram support, more efficient routing)
-More 'future proof?' (header extensions allow for new tech)
-Easier configuration (no need for manual config or DHCP, big deal with the proliferation mobile internet devices like smartphones)
-Less packet fragmentation
-Better network discovery

among others.

[Kurp]

Is it possible to continue with the already established IPv4 addressed while adding new addresses for new devices with IPv6, or is this going to have to be something that has to switch over completely?

I feel like this is a stupid question and I should know the answer.

IPv6 isn't backwards compatible with IPv4 and the transition is going to be a huge pain in the ass since both protocols will have to co-exist for many years. IPv4 phase out will be really slow, it's not going to be a 'flip the switch' kind of transition like analog to digital TV broadcasts in the US.

[Kaisha]

As far as the end-user is concerned, is there much needed in upgrading hardware to support IPv6, or is it mainly your cable box that needs to support it while your local LAN can stay IPv4?

[Cephius]

As far as the end-user is concerned, is there much needed in upgrading hardware to support IPv6, or is it mainly your cable box that needs to support it while your local LAN can stay IPv4?

Most computers have been shipping with IPv6-ready hardware for years now. So no, unless you're using an ancient computer you wouldn't need to buy or upgrade anything.