IPv6

The Internet protocol Version 6 or the IPv6 is the next generation Internet protocol that will be replacing the current Internet protocol. The current version that is being used is the Internet Protocol; Version 4 which has almost lasted for almost 2 decades.

Also the main reason for the upgradation to the Internet protocol Version 6 is because of the IP address problems. According to the InterNIC they have already exhausted IP addresses in Class A and Class B and now are down to Class C. Now they have no other option but to upgrade the internet Protocol to IPv6 to combat the address problem.

IPv6 also known as the IPng or the Internet protocol Next Generation is actually a better version of IPv4. The IPv6 can be installed just like any other software to the computer. The IPv6 is designed to run on complicated and simple networks. It is called the future Generation Internet Protocol because it already carries the capabilities to work on the newer platforms that will be introduced in the future.

However there are some issues with the IPv6 which are being worked upon in the transition process. There are doubts if the IPv6 will be able to sustain global networks which are large and also if the transition will take place smoothly. IPv6 may be a very good protocol by itself but if the transition cannot be smooth than the whole functioning of the Internet protocol might go wrong.

Future of IPv6

The most important factor driving the IPv6 is to handle the future needs. A lesson that is learnt well from IPV4 where there is a severe shortage of IP addresses, IPv6 is built upon overcoming this shortage and as well as making way for all the future demand in terms of IP addresses. Taking into consideration the growth of Internet in the past few decades the future demand can be drawn.

Growth in the Internet industry can be seen through many means like the computer and mobile business. Both of them are the largest caterers to the internet growth. People use the internet through computers mostly and few from mobile as of today. However the predictions indicate that the mobile internet usage will also increase tremendously in the near future. More and more businesses are expected to turn online which already indicates a huge volume need for IP addresses.

Another possible arena which may increase the demand in IP addresses is the Television industry. Networked entertainment is the next industry that promises to network more than 500 channels just on demands. This also means that every television that is connecting to the network will be a host just like any other computer connecting to the internet. Every television that is connecting will need an internet address.

Transition

The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 I is expected to take place in the next 3 to 7 years. There are two factors that are involved in the transitioning process one is the routing and the other is the addressing. The challenge here is that the IPv6 should be able to take over before the addressing and the routing system of the IPv4 breaks down. Also the IPv6 should be flexible to accommodate the left over of the IPv4 addressing system because at no given point of time will the transition be 100 percent.

Enough time should be allowed for the transition to avoid a breakdown in the technology itself. The internet is so large that nothing can be deployed in one shot and hence the transition has to be gradual. Also right from operating systems to software’s have to start participating in the transition unanimously and for this the IPv6 campaign has to be huge.