Forget 2012, because it's 2011 that is the end of the IPv4 world in which we've all grown up. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, the organization which controls and coordinates global IP addressing for every computer on earth, is running out of IPv4 (stands for Internet Protocol version 4) addresses. As of February 2011, it was down to the last 2.7% of them.
So does this mean that new computers will become unusable? Of course not. The solution for this problem involves a little creativity, and a lot of new space.
To explain this better, imagine that all the IPv4 addresses are like the apartments in New York City. There's a limit to how many there are, and once they're filled, they stay there for good. Any technology device, including printers, has an IP address to tell other computers where to direct their information, similar to the mail service when you want to send a letter to a friend. Unlike people, however, the computers never change their addresses, and so this had led to the problem equivalent to overpopulation. So, instead of deleting computers from the system, computer scientists have been building New York City 2.0, which they have called IPv6.
IPv4 is a 32-bit internet layer protocol which handles the transfer of information through "routes," or pathways on the internet. Every piece of information shared online has three core data points that direct it: who sent it (IP address 1), where it's going (IP address 2), and how it's getting there (the route). This system was created in the 1980s, far before the internet got so huge, and long before anyone predicted it would run out. After all, it accounts for 2^32 addresses! Side note: remember that computers use a binary (base of 2) system to communicate.
IPv6, on the other hand, is a 128-bit internet layer protocol which can support 2^128 addresses, which is about equal to the impossibly large number 340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38). This expansion allows for many more devices and users on the internet as well as extra flexibility in allocating addresses and efficiency for routing traffic. As of now, IPv6 is still in the pilot stage, but on June 8, 2011, this will change. Why? It's World IPv6 Day, of course!
On that day, the entire globe will be undergoing a test of the major IPv6 infrastructures. Many of the most commonly used websites (Facebook, Google, etc.) have or will enable a "gateway translation," which will allow IPv4 users to connect to IPv6. Unfortunately, .05% of people who are covered by IPv4 will experience major technical issues on this day. These are the problems that World IPv6 Day is trying to fix before the entire IPv6 is launched full-scale, which might happen in a decade or so.
So don't worry about losing internet access yet, unless you are part of the .05% group who has issues with the switch to IPv6. The point is that it's out there, and we're ready.
To all Johns Hopkins students, have a safe, restful, and fun Spring Break. The blog will return in 2 weeks. Until then, enjoy this small joy.
So does this mean that new computers will become unusable? Of course not. The solution for this problem involves a little creativity, and a lot of new space.
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| The gradual transition to IPv6. From http://www.potaroo.net/ispcol/2008-09/fig1.jpg |
IPv4 is a 32-bit internet layer protocol which handles the transfer of information through "routes," or pathways on the internet. Every piece of information shared online has three core data points that direct it: who sent it (IP address 1), where it's going (IP address 2), and how it's getting there (the route). This system was created in the 1980s, far before the internet got so huge, and long before anyone predicted it would run out. After all, it accounts for 2^32 addresses! Side note: remember that computers use a binary (base of 2) system to communicate.
IPv6, on the other hand, is a 128-bit internet layer protocol which can support 2^128 addresses, which is about equal to the impossibly large number 340 undecillion (3.4 x 10^38). This expansion allows for many more devices and users on the internet as well as extra flexibility in allocating addresses and efficiency for routing traffic. As of now, IPv6 is still in the pilot stage, but on June 8, 2011, this will change. Why? It's World IPv6 Day, of course!
On that day, the entire globe will be undergoing a test of the major IPv6 infrastructures. Many of the most commonly used websites (Facebook, Google, etc.) have or will enable a "gateway translation," which will allow IPv4 users to connect to IPv6. Unfortunately, .05% of people who are covered by IPv4 will experience major technical issues on this day. These are the problems that World IPv6 Day is trying to fix before the entire IPv6 is launched full-scale, which might happen in a decade or so.
So don't worry about losing internet access yet, unless you are part of the .05% group who has issues with the switch to IPv6. The point is that it's out there, and we're ready.
To all Johns Hopkins students, have a safe, restful, and fun Spring Break. The blog will return in 2 weeks. Until then, enjoy this small joy.