The number of internet protocol (IP) addresses globally, about 4.2 billion, are close to their exhaustion date of January 2012. To eradicate this problem, India has directed all internet service providers (ISP) to direct their web traffic via the new protocol (version six) from December next year.
The new method of routing traffic is being adopted to incorporate the growing need of more internet addresses in the world as internet connects to more electronic devices. Called as IPv6, the new protocol will replace the existing internet protocol version 4 (IPv4). World over, all internet traffic is expected to migrate to IPv6 in next 2-3 years.
Devices like mobile phones, cars, tablet PCs, televisions , refrigerators, cameras and other electronic devices are increasingly being connected to the internet, and have to be allotted an address. According to a directive by the ministry of IT & communications, all central and state government ministries will have to start using IPv6 services by March, 2012.
The problem arises because the current version of IP addresses works on 64 bits and can incorporate only 4.2 billion IP addresses. The new protocol IPv6 will work on 128-bit addresses and will be able to incorporate far more addresses.
ISPs say they are ready for the migration, and many have already started purchasing equipment which can work on both protocols. Says Jasjit Sawhney, CMD of Net4 India: “It’s good to put a date for the migration. Trillions of devices will get connected to the internet in future. So exhaustion of IP addresses is bound to happen. But our network is ready for IPv6 already.”
The current notation of IP addresses contains four numbers separated by three dots. The new protocol will have six dots separating the eight numbers which will form part of the 128 bit addressing system.
Replying to a question on IPv6 transition in the Lok Sabha last week, Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications & IT, also said that a task force has already been set up for IPv6 implementation. The telecom engineering centre (TEC) in the department of telecom is advising organisations that want to shift to IPv6.
There are five global regional internet registrars that allocate IP addresses and domains. All of them feel that the exhaustion will be complete by January 31, 2011. The shortage also results from a fact that millions of addresses are allotted to private networks, which are left unused.
Source:- Indiatimes
The new method of routing traffic is being adopted to incorporate the growing need of more internet addresses in the world as internet connects to more electronic devices. Called as IPv6, the new protocol will replace the existing internet protocol version 4 (IPv4). World over, all internet traffic is expected to migrate to IPv6 in next 2-3 years.
Devices like mobile phones, cars, tablet PCs, televisions , refrigerators, cameras and other electronic devices are increasingly being connected to the internet, and have to be allotted an address. According to a directive by the ministry of IT & communications, all central and state government ministries will have to start using IPv6 services by March, 2012.
The problem arises because the current version of IP addresses works on 64 bits and can incorporate only 4.2 billion IP addresses. The new protocol IPv6 will work on 128-bit addresses and will be able to incorporate far more addresses.
ISPs say they are ready for the migration, and many have already started purchasing equipment which can work on both protocols. Says Jasjit Sawhney, CMD of Net4 India: “It’s good to put a date for the migration. Trillions of devices will get connected to the internet in future. So exhaustion of IP addresses is bound to happen. But our network is ready for IPv6 already.”
The current notation of IP addresses contains four numbers separated by three dots. The new protocol will have six dots separating the eight numbers which will form part of the 128 bit addressing system.
Replying to a question on IPv6 transition in the Lok Sabha last week, Sachin Pilot, minister of state for communications & IT, also said that a task force has already been set up for IPv6 implementation. The telecom engineering centre (TEC) in the department of telecom is advising organisations that want to shift to IPv6.
There are five global regional internet registrars that allocate IP addresses and domains. All of them feel that the exhaustion will be complete by January 31, 2011. The shortage also results from a fact that millions of addresses are allotted to private networks, which are left unused.
Source:- Indiatimes
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