IPv6 is coming!

He has: 286 posts

Joined: Mar 2003

[Hope I've posted this in the right forum]

IPv6 will be coming in a few years, and I read in a recent article that Microsoft has already linked all their offices with it. This latest version of IP will extend the current 32-bit addresses to 128-bit addresses.

Since the Internet began in the US, most of the current (IPv4) addresses are owned by US organizations and companies. In fact, Virginia Tech, an engineering college, owns most of the Class B addresses.

As the Internet expands into Asia, along with wireless technology, IPv6 will become more prevalent. There are hubs and routers for VPNs available today that can convert data travelling from IPv6 to IPv4 and vice-versa.

This is definitely a trend to watch, because some experts have been predicting an IP address shortage within the next 5 years or so. So make your servers compatible now! Sticking out tongue

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

IPv6 has been coming for years and it is still not here. The main problem is that in America there is not a shortage of IP addresses like there is in other parts of the world so it is not being pushed as much here. Eventually it will get here but no one really knows how soon.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

He has: 286 posts

Joined: Mar 2003

Actually, an experimental version of IPv6 comes with Windows XP.

Says Microsoft:

Quote: The IPv6 software supplied in this release contains prerelease code and is not intended for commercial use. This software is made available for research, development, and testing only and must never be used in a production environment. Microsoft is not responsible for your use of the code or for the results from your use of the code, and Microsoft does not provide any level of technical support for IPv6 in this release.

druagord's picture

He has: 335 posts

Joined: May 2003

Before IPv6 becomes the internet addressing protocol ISP's will have to convert there equipement. all routers on the internet are not ready yet. Same goes with multicasting a protocol allowing the send streams like music or video only once and to get many viewer to connect to that stream the concept works at least since the mid 90's but lots of old router on the www make it unusable outside a LAN.

IF , ELSE , WHILE isn't that what life is all about

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