IP Addresses - We Are Running Short!
 

The seemingly boundless Internet is running out of a key resource: new IP addresses.

People have been worrying about this forever, but NAT will carry us way beyond the introduction of IPv6, which makes this a complete non-issue. I think v6 is 128 bit address space which is far beyond anything we could possibly ever use.

I don't know about that. With IPs going as fast as they are, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we eventually run out. The dynamic IP system was great when people had dial-up and computers that weren't online didn't need an IP, but now more and more people are using broadband and dedicated lines, meaning they each use an IP 24/7.

In order to run a website, you need a web host with an IP and a DNS with its own IP. Depending on your network, you might also have an SQL server, a streaming server, a mail server, and who knows what else.

Logically, we have got to run out of addresses at some point.

>but now more and more people are using broadband and dedicated lines, meaning they each use an IP 24/7.

Incorrect, many ISPs use private IPs for end users. DSL providers especially. There is no reason 99% of end users need a public IP.

>In order to run a website, you need a web host with an IP and a DNS with its own IP.

This is also incorrect. You can run thousands of site on one IP address.

>Logically, we have got to run out of addresses at so

Logically life on Earth is going to be extinguished when the sun goes supernova, too, but neither is happening anytime soon. IPv4 has plenty of space to hold us until 6 is commonplace.

With Virtual Hosting, a single webserver with one IP can host thousands of websites.

Hopefully IPv6 will save the day before things get too bad. At least I hope so.