The next version of the Internet begins rolling out today

What if the Internet ran out of room? In fact, it's already happening.

Vint Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, and a founding father of the Internet, discusses the next version of the Internet, IPv6, and why we need it.

The problem is that the current Internet addressing system, IPv4, only has room for about 4 billion addresses -- not nearly enough for the world's people, let alone the devices that are online today and those that will be in the future: computers, phones, TVs, watches, fridges, cars, and so on. More than 4 billion devices already share addresses. As IPv4 runs out of free addresses, everyone will need to share.

When is the transition happening?

At Google we believe IPv6 is essential to the continued health and growth of the Internet and that by allowing all devices to talk to each other directly, IPv6 enables new innovative services. Replacing the Internet's plumbing will take some time, but the transition has begun. World IPv6 Launch on June 6, 2012, marks the start of a coordinated rollout by major websites and Internet service and equipment providers.

Frequently asked questions:

Q :- What are IPv4 and IPv6?

Ans :- IPv4 is the current version of the Internet Protocol, the identification system the Internet uses to send information between devices. This system assigns a series of four numbers (each ranging from 0 to 255) to each device. IPv4 only allows for about 4 billion addresses and the Internet needs more room than that. IPv6 is the new version of the Internet Protocol and expands the number of available addresses to a virtually limitless amount–340 trillion trillion trillion addresses.

Q :- Why is IPv6 important?

Ans :- The Internet is running out of IPv4 addresses. Transitioning to IPv6 enables the Internet to continue to grow and enables new, innovative services to be developed because more devices can connect to the Internet.

Q :- What is an IP address?

Ans :- Just like a phone number helps you communicate with another phone, an IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is provided to your computer so it can communicate with websites, Internet services, and other devices. IP addresses are numbers that are displayed as strings of letters or numbers, such as 192.0.2.1 (for IPv4) and 2001:db8::1234:ace:6006:1e (for IPv6).

Q :- What is World IPv6 Launch?

Ans :- World IPv6 Launch on June 6, 2012, organized by the Internet Society, is the day participating major websites and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) permanently enable IPv6 and begin the transition from IPv4.

Q :- Will I notice anything different? Do I need to do anything to prepare?

Ans :- You don't need to prepare anything for IPv6; your applications and devices will work just as they did before. This change is to make sure you can keep using the Internet in the future just as you do today.

Q :- How long will this transition take?

Ans :- The complete transition to IPv4 to IPv6 will take time as every website and Internet Service Provider must make the switch. In the meantime, both systems will work together until IPv4 is no longer needed.

Q :- Will you be turning off IPv4?

Ans :- No, IPv4 services will continue to operate as usual.

Q :- Do I already have IPv6?

Ans :- You may be using IPv6 already, visit ipv6test.google.com to find out. Many devices you use already support IPv6; however, the websites you visit and your Internet Service Provider must first enable IPv6 before you can use it.

Q :- I don’t have IPv6 yet. How can I get it?

Ans :- Many major websites and Internet Service Providers now support IPv6, but there are still many more who need to switch. If you'd like to use IPv6, contact your Internet Service Provider asking them to provide you with IPv6 Internet access. You may also need to enable IPv6 on your home router or upgrade to a home router that supports IPv6. For a list of home router manufacturers that support IPv6, start here.

Q :- Was there ever an IPv5?

Ans :- Version 5 was reserved for the Internet Stream Protocol developed prior to IPv6–it was never widely deployed and will not be used publicly.