IPv6 Frequently Asked Questions on World IPv6 Launch Day
IPv6 transition from current scenario of IPv4 has started from today, that is World IPv6 launch. June 6, 2012 is the day when we are entering into a new era, a new Internet Protocol, a new path of Internet access. All communication which we used to do or using was/is via IPv4 but its time to make a switch to IPv6.
The day is not far when all IPv4 address will be exhausted and Internet will not grow any more so that’s why a decision to migrate to IPv6 has been made. You can also check your IP configuration as it may be already get enabled by your ISP. Check out the IPv6 Frequently Asked Questions if you have any doubts about it:
What are IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 is the current version of the Internet Protocol which is a 32-bit address ranging from 0 to 255 in a series of four. IPv6 is the new version of the Internet Protocol which is a 128-bit address in form of 16 octets. IPv4 can address only 4.3 billion addresses whereas IPv6 can address more than 340 trillion, trillion, trillion!
Why is IPv6 important?
IPv4 is exhausting and will be out of addresses in near future. This is the reason we need more space to address more & more device being added day by day. IPv6 is the future of growing Internet.
What is an IP address?
IP (Internet Protocol) address is needed to communicate with Websites, Internet Services, various devices. It can be identified as a strings of letters or numbers like 192.168.1.1 (for IPv4) and 2012:0dc8::2132:acce:5256:0012 (for IPv6).
What is World IPv6 Launch?
June 6, 2012 is the decided day for the World IPv6 launch by the Internet Society. On this day major Websites and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are implementing IPv6 and beginning the transition from IPv4. Will I notice anything different? Do I need to do anything to prepare? There is no need to prepare anything for IPv6 and your devices & applications will work as they used to before. IPv6 is just to make sure that Internet goes on working in future.
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How long Will this transition take?
Every website and Internet Service Provider must make switch from IPv4 to IPv6 and so far in the meantime both protocol will work together without any problem. That’s why it’ll take time to transit from IPv4 to IPv6.
Will you be turning off IPv4?
No, IPv4 services Will continue to operate as usual.
Do I already have IPv6?
It depends on the devices you use, many of the device already support IPv6; however you can visit ipv6test.google.com to find it out. One more thing using IPv6 also depends on the websites you visit and on your ISPs which must first enable IPv6 for your use.
I don’t have IPv6 yet. How can I get it?
ISPs and major websites are now supporting IPv6 but there are still many more who not yet jumped into this. In case you want to use IPv6 contact your ISP and ask them to provide you with IPv6 Internet access. You can also opt for enabling IPv6 on your home router or even upgrade to one which supports IPv6. Want to see router devices which support IPv6 click here.
Was there ever an IPv5?
IPv5 was reserved for the Internet Stream Protocol. It was developed prior to IPv6 but it was never widely deployed and is not for public use.
So its better to make a switch on your own and welcome the Internet’s future IPv6. See IPv6 like an opportunity not like a threat to Internet.