Warning over net address limits (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Internet Service Providers urgently need to roll out the next generation of net addresses for online devices, internet pioneer Vint Cerf has said.

Every device that goes online is allocated a unique IP address but the pool of numbers is finite and due to run out around 2010.

A new system, called IPv6, has been awaiting roll out for 10 years.

Unless IPv6 is switched on in the coming years, some devices might not be able to go online, Mr Cerf has warned.

Mr Cerf, who played a key role in the development of the protocols which underpin the global net, said: "There is a risk of not being able to get online."
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7068140.stm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6

[lonestarnot]

1. But numbers are infinite, how could that be?

:shrug:

[ddeclue]

2. Numbers are infinite -the available addresses are not...

IP addresses are composed of a four byte number which means that 256*256*256*256 addresses (minus a certain number of reserved addresses) can be assigned. This is 2^32 or about 4 billion addresses.

This is akin to phone numbers in an area code.. There are 9,999,999 numbers theoretically available in an area code (minus certain reserved combinations). This is why larger cities such as Atlanta have had to add multiple area codes in the last ten years as population growth, fax machines, computer modems, and cell phones started filling up available numbers.

IP6 would give 256*256*256*256*256*256 or 2^48 (65,536 times as many addresses as the existing system).

Doug D.

[lonestarnot]

3. Interesting thanks for explaining that!

A chance for the gov to step in and regulate?