Internet Addresses Are Running Out Quickly
The technology behind Ipv4 has always been known as a limited option. There can only be 4.3 billion addresses that are available using it. While that is a large number, the number needed for businesses and private residences are far outstripping it. The population is growing in the world and the internet is reaching more of that number. The Routing and Addressing Group of the Internet Engineering Task Force has been working on this issue. An ipv4 transfer and Ipv6 implementation have helped, but not fast enough. They still have a ways to go, considering there was one exhaustion that occurred in 2011.
What Is Using Internet Addressing
People don’t consider all the devices that have an address. Cellular devices are extremely popular, so they have them. Every website out there has an address. There are places that need a connection that is always on, so they have dedicated addresses. There are also people connected with one address using a virtual private network that has another one. At the same time, they are using messaging via their cell phone and that uses another address. Companies require multiple ones for the various sites they have and their websites.
Transferring Via Ipv4
Currently, the only technology that is being used for internet addresses is IPv4. The regional Internet registries ran out of new addresses to give January 2011. That means one of the ways to get a new address is to purchase it from someone who owns it but is not using it. That means that the different regional registries have to have a structure in place for transferring them. The transfers also have to deal with the availability. Keeping that organized is the new priority of the governing body of the internet.
The Use Of Ipv6
IPv6 is also in use at this time. There are more available, but it is getting exhausted just as IPv4 has been. 6 has been in use since 1982 and has been heavily used. Most of the top level domains use it, but the use of it was uneven in the implementation. All operating systems now are compatible. Since 2005, the United States government has required the use of it. Most nations in the world that have at least a reasonable amount of internet usage require it. The various regional groups and the main governing body are having to decide how to deal with exhaustion when it occurs.
While there are some stopgap procedures in place for internet addressing, there are bigger solutions needed. The people who are in charge know this and have research happening and plans being implemented. The last of IPv4 is already being organized in a manner that addresses can be recycled. IPv6 is going to be following it soon and must be handled in the same manner. Regional internet registries are having to keep up with this and leave the plans to the governing body. The Internet Engineering Task Force is also working on how to implement solutions via open source.
