Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Sebastian Thrun: Google's Driverless Car
Internet Addresses to Run Out in 2010
Everything that connects to the Internet is given a unique number called an IP address. Those numbers are handed out according to a system called IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). Unfortunately, we're fast approaching the maximum number of possible addresses IPv4 can handle -- a limitation of the system created in the 1970s.
Running out of addresses could spell the end of the expansion of the Internet, which is why IPv4's successor, IPv6, is being pushed heavily for adoption. According to Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for the Information Society, IPv6 has more available addresses then there are grains of sand on the Earth, which should be more than enough to connect every electronic device and sensor to the Internet.
Need a number to help wrap your mind around how many addresses IPv6 can have? IPv6 provides 3.4 × 1038 addresses for each of the roughly 6.5 billion people in the world. That's a 34 followed by 37 zeros, enough for every cell in your body to get online... twice. [Source: News.com.au]
16 Grammys Looks That Weren't Working
Whitney Houston Dead: Singer Dies at 48, Body Found in Beverly Hilton Hotel
Worst Movie Mistakes: Date Night Edition (PHOTOS)
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
How Hattie Lost 300 Pounds: 'I Was Ready To Do Whatever It Took To Survive'
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
PHOTOS: President Obama's Kissing Technique
Jennifer Hudson Whitney Tribute: Grammy President Reveals Why Singer Was Chosen for Musical Memorial
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
Matt Bomer Comes Out As Gay
5-Hour Energy: A Success Equal Parts Caffeine, Chemistry and Meditation
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Grammy Awards 2012: The Best & Worst Of The Red Carpet!
People With Easy-To-Pronounce Names More Likely To Succeed, Study Says
12 Grammys Stars Who Gave Good Style
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
The Top 10 Slacker Colleges
15 Funny Valentine's Day Cards
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
JUNGLE SURVIVAL: Marines Drink Snake Blood, Eat Insects
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Oprah Under Fire For Controversial Tweet
PHOTOS: Thank God For Grown-Up Glamour
15 Funny Valentine's Day Quotes
Scuba-Diving Murder Trial: Prosecutors Drop One Charge Against Husband
Taylor Swift Does Great Depression Chic
PHOTO: Kate Upton Scores 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Issue Cover!
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
PHOTOS: Beautiful Scars
The 13 Least Romantic Valentine's Day Gifts
Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsAlex PadillaJun 17th 2008 6:06PM
The Internet must live forever!
MichelleJun 17th 2008 6:10PM
So what does it take to convert to this IPv6?
MadMikeJun 17th 2008 9:52PM
Unfortunately a lot. The biggest holdup is Internet Service Providers who have older hardware and don't want to spend the $150,00 - $5,000,000+ it could cost to upgrade their network infrastructures.
Second, people using outdated operating systems. While Windows XP is the most popular and most widely used operating system, it requires a software update to use IPv6. However, hundreds of thousands of people don't even have Windows XP. Most people with Windows XP, are extremely behind in patches which most not even using service pack 1 or higher.
Third, while there have been advances made especially having IPv4 and IPv6 co-existing, you can't just flip a switch and have it work. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of money.
Tired_Jun 18th 2008 6:52AM
I bet when they were developing IPv4, it seemed like an impossible amount of addresses, then. Why didn't they make IPv6 extendable (somehow), so they could be absolutely certain we'll have enough for the future? If we (for example) develop planet-sized conglomerations of molecular-sized nanobots that each need to be connected to receive instructions, we may very well run out of IPv6...I'm sure someone can come up with an example that's even less far-out.
Wish BelkinJun 18th 2008 7:18AM
How many IP addresses are lying dormant?
If an address hasn't been employed in six months, can it be re-assigned?
(asks the tech moron)
ShawnJun 18th 2008 2:38PM
Most people have private IP addresses assigned to their windows XP machines that are behind a NAT or firewall. So a business with thousands of clients only have one public IP address and the rest are internal private IP's. Thats where subnetting comes into usefulness, but even subnetting has limitations on the amount of hosts on a network. IPv6 you won't have to bother with subnetting, everyone will have their own public IP address on the internet.
MAD BILLJun 19th 2008 3:03AM
SOUNDS SORTA LIKE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF 2000. OUR SOFTWARE PROGRAM TRACKED ALL OUR STATUTES BUT COMPLETELY FAILED BECAUSE THE CASE NUMBERING SYSTEM WOULD NOT CONVERT INTO 2001. THE SOFTWARE COMPANY JUST DISAPPEARED. A REAL COMPUTER GENIUS, OR MAYBE THEY WERE JUST DUMB GEEKS
goober mcgilucudyJun 19th 2008 12:23PM
IPv6 addresses have been in use since Feb 2007.
Somebody needs to improve their tech knowledge.