A Short Guide to IPv6

What’s an IP address?

An Internet Protocol address (or IP address) is a unique 32-bit number that identifies the location of your computer network.  It serves as your computer’s “street address,” enabling other computers to find out exactly where you are and deliver information to you.

 

Did the Internet run out of IP addresses?

Yes. The Internet, in its current form, has used up all its IPv4 addresses. According to the Number Resource Organization, the world officially ran out of IPv4 address in February 2011.  All that can be done now is to divide the allocated properties into ever-smaller portions or trade what’s already been assigned – moves that could complicate and compromise your privacy.

 

What’s IPv4?

IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the underlying technology that makes it possible for us to connect our devices to the web. Whenever a device accesses the Internet (whether it’s a PC, Mac, smartphone or other device), it is assigned a unique, numerical IP address such as 99.48.227.227.  To send data from one computer to another, a data packet must be transferred across the network containing the IP addresses of both devices.  Without IP addresses, computers would not be able to communicate and send data to each other. It's essential to the infrastructure of the web.

 

What’s IPv6?

IPv6 is the sixth revision to the Internet Protocol and the successor to IPv4. It functions similarly to IPv4 in that it provides the unique, numerical IP addresses necessary for Internet-enabled devices to communicate. However, it does sport one major difference: it utilizes 128-bit addresses.

 

What is World IPv6 Launch?

Major Internet service providers (ISPs), home networking equipment manufacturers, and web companies around the world are coming together to permanently enable IPv6 for their products and services by 6 June 2012.