The main reason to switch is that IPv4 only allows around 4 billion internet addresses. In order for one device to communicate with another on the internet each of them has to have a unique internet address (IP address). With the number of devices currently on the market – computers, smartphones, smart tvs and set-top boxes – we are already out of addresses. However, clever manipulation allows some devices to share IP addresses with other devices, but this is not an ideal situation. The sharing of addresses makes it difficult for devices to communicate freely on the internet, thus limited functionality.
IPv6 solves the IP address issue simply by introducing a new type of IP address that can handle 3.4e+38 – or 4 billion times 4 billion times 4 billion times 4 billion. It a huge number – difficult for most people to understand. But lets just assume that we will not be running out of IP address ever again.
Today (6/6/12) was been chosen by the Internet Society to mark the launch of IPv6 . IPv6 has been around for many years but the deployment very limited – and mainly used for research within companies and institutions. ISP, hosting providers and other companies on the internet have been repluctant to start offering services on IPv6, primarily because of the investment required both in hardware, software and training.
The Internet Society on the other hand has tried to initiate a movement encouraging ISP, webiste and hardware vendors to take the leap to IPv6 anyway – and thus promote their businesses by using cutting-edge technology.