14 DAY TRIAL // Currently, IPv4 is the Internet protocol used by most of the world, but the situation won't last much longer, according to the Internet Society.
Internet Protocol Version 6 is the next incarnation of the technology used to link computers, and, by extension, people, from all around the world.
Currently, IPv4 is in play and, for the most part, it is doing a decent job.
Nevertheless, the time has almost come for it to pass on the torch to its successor.
Of course, the transition will be gradual, not sudden. There are too many ISPs (Internet service providers), home networking equipment manufacturers and web companies for an immediate, complete and total transformation.
This is actually the reason IPv6 hasn't been adopted faster.
Nevertheless, starting on June 6, the protocol will come into play for at least 1% of all wireline residential subscribers.
“The fact that leading companies across several industries are making significant commitments to participate in World IPv6 Launch is yet another indication that IPv6 is no longer a lab experiment; it's here and is an important next step in the Internet’s evolution,” commented Leslie Daigle, the Internet Society’s chief Internet technology officer.
“And, as there are more IPv6 services, it becomes increasingly important for companies to accelerate their own deployment plans.”
IPv4 has about four billion IP addresses, but that only means that it is running out of space after so many devices, people and web services have become part of the web.
IPv6 will provide over 340 trillion, trillion, trillion addresses (yes, that many, 2 raised to the power of 128 to be precise, give or take a few hundred thousand).
All in all, IPv6 will make sure the Internet can grow indefinitely, since there is little chance of the world's populace even reaching that immense number.
For more on the Internet Society, “the world’s trusted independent source of leadership for Internet policy, technology standards and future development,” the official website has all the info.