Sunday, January 16, 2011

World IPv6 Day

Potentially more important that where the next World Cup will be held is World IPv6 Day which is scheduled for the 8th of June but what is it all about?

You know that all those web addresses that you type into your computer are translated into a series of numbers – well that series of Internet Protocol addresses is set up according to the v4 formula.

The current system of providing internet protocol addresses on the internet(v4) has a capacity for 4 billion entries which in the 70s was thought to be more than adequate. However, current estimates now show the numbers will run out early November of this year. So, in preparation for that event, we have v6 which is said to have unlimited capacity.

Before v6 is unleashed on the general public though it will be trialled on the 8th June. On that date, the companies that have signed up will make their web pages available for 24 hours using the new system to enable them to identify any flaws or issues with the new naming system.

The good news for us is that we don’t need to do anything about this. Our ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are not likely to be offering v6 to residential customers just yet. When they do, those of you running Windows Vista or 7 and those with Mac OS X10.5 or higher will be fine. Anyone running a recent version of Linux will also be fine. However, anyone running Windows XP or earlier versions of Mac OS are advised to upgrade if they want to reach the new IPIv6 addresses because IP6 is not supported on these earlier systems. Also, if you are planning on buying a new router, then it is as well to check that it is IPv6 compatible.

Don’t worry though, it is not like come November you will suddenly be cut off from the Internet . There will still be plenty of material using IPv4 it is just that all the new stuff will move over to IPv6.

1 comment:

Petrus said...

Thanks for this information - luckily I have just upgraded to Max OS 10.6