Current IP addresses could run out in 2010

by Jan Harris

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Current IP addresses could run out in 2010
American computer scientist, Vint Cerf, who helped create the Internet, has expressed concern that devices will be unable to go online unless the next generation of IP addresses is released.

In order to connect to the Internet, a device is allocated a unique IP address, but these will run out by around 2010. The current system, called IPv4, provides four billion addresses, but these are running out rapidly.

Vint Cerf is calling for a new system, called IPv6, to be rolled out. IPv6 has been awaiting roll out for the past decade.

IPv6, which will create 340 trillion trillion trillion IP addresses, is compatible with modern Internet-enabled devices.

It seems that ISP’s have not implemented the system as there hasn’t been demand from customers to do so. It will also add to costs as IPv4 and Ipv6 will initially have to be run in parallel.

IPv6 is already being rolled out in China, Korea and Japan and the EU is considering ways of encouraging the adoption of the standard.

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Story link: Current IP addresses could run out in 2010

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