Preparing For IPv6 - Thoughts

Have you seen the publicity: "We're Running Out Of Internet Addresses" ?  

Most national news outlets have ran the story since the start of the year.

I wanted share a bit of information on this topic:

The Internet's addressing scheme (called IP addresses) is currently on Version 4, however since the explosion of network connected devices, the supply of available address is running short.

Several years ago, a replacement addressing method was built and is now ready for implementation.  You'll see this new plan referred to as Version 6 (  IPv6 ).

In comparison, here's the number of possible addresses for each method:

IPv4 Possible Addresses:  
4,294,967,296
IPv6 Possible Addresses: 
340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456
(in case your wondering, thats over 340 undecillion)

Once IPv6 is implemented, it will be a very long time before we use them all.

So, why am I telling you this?

Well, this is kind of like the Y2K scare, it has the possibility of a major impact on your business.  There's not much you need to do now, except be aware that IPv6 is going to happen in the next year or two... maybe three.

Depending on your computers, routers, (and possibly some software) you may need upgrading.

Most computers starting with Windows XP and later can run IPv6 addresses.  So thats not much of a worry.

Many of today's router/firewall devices that you have in your office will need to be replaced.  (Some will have the ability to be software upgraded).
And it probably goes the same for your home router/firewall.

Now lets talk about software.  Some Internet-enabled software packages may not run on IPv6.  These would mainly include something that you have had especially designed for your business.  Most commercially-made software will be ok. 

However, if you have software that has been built especially for you, you might want to start investigating how it will run on IPv6 ( for example, if you have remote offices and your software connects between the offices).

Sometime in the next year or so, you'll need to have a conversation with your vendors / suppliers / affiliates that are essential to your business to ask what they are doing to prepare for IPv6.

Conclusion

Be weary of offers to sell you new equipment or services to prepare you for IPv6.  There's plenty of time yet and frankly, some of the router companies don't have a handle on exactly what they are going to do.

Remember what is important now:
(1) Backups of your data - preferably off-site;
(2) Keep your computer updated, including those notifications about Adobe Reader, Java and Flash;
(3) AntiVirus software on every PC - always keep it up to date  [for paid AV software, I recommend eSet.  For free, I use Microsoft Security Essentials];
(4)  Treat your business email as it is your reputation.  Never forward jokes, use rough language or open attachments that you don't expect.  Use an address from a free email service as an alternate. ( What you send out in emails can stick with you forever. )
(5)  If you have any occurrence where lots of unwanted or unexpected pop-ups happen on your computer, or if someone sends you an email asking you to stop spamming them.... You Are Probably Infected.  And everything you do on your computer could be in jeopardy.

I hope you find this information helpful.