CHANTILLY, Va., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On 7 May 2007, the ARIN Board of Trustees passed a resolution advising the Internet technical community that migration to a new version of the Internet Protocol, IPv6, will be necessary to allow continued growth of the Internet.
Internet Protocol defines how computers communicate over a network. IP version 4 (IPv4), the currently prevalent version, contains just over four billion unique IP addresses, which is not enough to last indefinitely. IPv6 is a replacement for IPv4, offering far more IP addresses and enhanced security features. To date, ARIN has performed technical coordination of both versions and has not advocated one over the other.
With only 19% of IPv4 address space remaining, however, ARIN is now compelled to advise the Internet community that migration to IPv6 is necessary for any applications that require ongoing availability of contiguous IP number resources.
"We must prepare for IPv4's depletion, and ARIN's resolution to encourage that migration to IPv6 may be the impetus for more organizations to start the planning process," said John Curran, Chairman of ARIN's Board of Trustees.
The Board resolution also directs ARIN staff to heighten its efforts in assuring the veracity of IPv4 resource requests and asks that ARIN's elected policy body, the Advisory Council, consider working with the community on policy changes to encourage migration to IPv6.
To implement this resolution, ARIN will review its internal resource request procedures, send progress announcements to the community, produce new educational documentation, and focus on IPv6 in many of its general outreach activities, such as speaking engagements, trade shows, and technical community meetings.
About the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)
Applying the principles of stewardship, ARIN, a nonprofit corporation, allocates Internet Protocol resources; develops consensus-based policies; and facilitates the advancement of the Internet through information and educational outreach.
American Registry for Internet Numbers
