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BY LEAH BECERRA
Today is the day that the new web standard IPV6 saves the internet from shutting down.
If this is the first time you’re hearing about this phenomenon, Google’s Chief Internet
Evangelist has a pretty good explanation.
“There are already 5.5 Billion mobiles in the world, if they all had internet addresses
it would exhaust instantly the IP version 4 address space. Which as I said before has
only 4.3 billion addresses.”
IPV4 was launched in 1983 as an experiment, so it’s no wonder the amount of users was
never expected to outgrow 4.3 billion. IPV6 will make sure user space is never outgrown,
and the internet isn’t forced to a standstill. This new IP version allows a lot more space
for Internet users. How much more gets a little, well, number-ey. CNN money explains.
“Silly-sounding huge number alert: The Internet's address book grew from "just" 4.3 billion
unique addresses to 340 undecillion (that's 340 trillion trillion trillion). That's a
growth factor of 79 octillion (billion billion billion).”
The Herald Sun reports — not only is the Internet going to be a lot larger, but IPV6
will also make the Internet a much safer place.
“...the new protocol system – IPv6 – comes with a security code known as IPSEC that would
do away with anonymity on the web. If enacted globally, this would make it easier to catch
cyber criminals...”
Everything sounds pretty great in terms of the new IPV6 launch, but CNET points out the
reality of switching from the old to the new version isn’t as simple as many businesses
would hope.
“No cross-compatibility or effective workarounds exist between the two address formats. That
means that until a central mass of Internet activity transfers to IPv6, there will still
be a need for IPv4. Some have suggested that the complete transition to IPv6 may take three
to five years (some suggest it may take decades).”
So, today – codenamed World IPV6 Day – is the day businesses, web hosts and equipment
manufacturers are encouraged to start switching versions. For everyone else, don’t worry,
the Internet is saved until further notice.