IPv6 Migration

What is an IP address? An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that identifies a device on a computer network.

Who uses IP addresses? Anyone that uses the Internet uses an IP address, since every device directly connected to the Internet must have a unique IP address. They are used on things like home computers, web servers and routers, and many handheld computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other devices.

How do I get an IP address? You most likely get an IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). As a home Internet user, your ISP “dynamically” gives your computer a unique IP address to use while you’re on the Internet.

Once you’ve closed your session and no longer need the IP address, the ISP may assign the same IP address to another user on the network. In some cases, users with specific needs can get a unique block of IP addresses from an ISP or from a Regional Internet Registry like ARIN.

No one “owns” IP addresses, so they’re not bought, sold, or traded. ARIN’s fees are only for the services involved in managing and administering Internet number resources.

What is the difference between an IP address and a domain name? An IP address is a unique numerical identifier used to move, or route, information on the Internet. An example of an IP address is 199.43.0.202. A domain name is a label that people use to find points on the Internet without having to remember strings of numbers. An example of a domain name is www. arin.net. ile an IP address is not property and cannot be bought, sold, or traded, a domain name may be considered intellectual property.

What is Internet Protocol? Internet Protocol is a set of technical rules that defines how computers communicate over a network. There are currently two versions: IP version 4 (IPv4) and IP version 6 (IPv6).

What is IPv4? IPv4 was the first version of Internet Protocol to be widely used, and still accounts for most of today’s Internet traffic. There are just over 4 billion IPv4 addresses. While that is a lot of IP addresses, it is not enough to last forever.

What is IPv6? IPv6 is a replacement for IPv4. It was deployed in 1999 and provides far more IP addresses, which should meet the need well into the future.

What are the major differences? The major difference between IPv4 and IPv6 is the number of IP addresses. There are just over 4 billion IPv4 addresses. In contrast, there are over 16 billion-billion IPv6 addresses. The technical functioning of the Internet remains the same in both versions and it is likely that both versions will continue to operate simultaneously on networks well into the future. To date, most networks that use IPv6 support both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses in their networks.

Every device directly connected to the Internet must have a unique number called an Internet Protocol address. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a new numbering system that provides a much larger address pool than the current version (IPv4). ARIN, the American Registry for Internet Numbers, has been allocating IPv6 address space since 1999 and services Canada, many Caribbean and North Atlantic islands, and the United States. Since the May 2007 ARIN Board of Trustees advisory to the Internet community, ARIN has looked for new ways to spread the message that migration to IPv6 is necessary for any applications that require ongoing availability of contiguous IP number resources. Spreading this message and facilitating education to assist in the migration represent major ARIN priorities for the foreseeable future.

In July 2007 ARIN introduced an IPv6 wiki as a repository for sharing experiences and data. Everyone is invited to visit www.getipv6.info<http://www.getipv6.info/> and to contribute. Before the April 2008 Public Policy and Members Meeting, ARIN and the Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) conducted a community wide IPv6 survey. The twenty question survey was used to gather data regarding the current and future use of IPv6 throughout the ARIN region. Survey results showing IPv6 penetration are available on the wiki mentioned above. On 21 May, ARIN held a Caribbean Sector Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the active policy proposals in the ARIN region in order to gain a Caribbean perspective on ARIN policies and procedures. ARIN has an open and transparent policy development process. Any member of the community can propose changes to the criteria ARIN uses to allocate Internet number resources such as IPv4 addresses, IPv6 addresses and Autonomous System Numbers. Current proposals deal with how to globally divide the remaining IPv4 address space, criteria for various aspects of IPv6 allocation in the ARIN region , and a specific allocation policy proposal for organizations based in the Caribbean. The ARIN Policy Development Process is open to all. Through subscription to the policy mailing list or attendance at any of the ARIN Public Policy meetings, you too, can ask questions or voice your opinion. You can subscribe to the mailing list at: http://www.arin.net/mailing_lists/index.html

ARIN has a number of fact sheets available on its website in English, French, and Spanish which describe IP addressing and the IPv4 and IPv6 protocols in a basic, non-technical manner. There are available at: http://www.arin.net/education/index.html.

By promoting IPv6 through a variety of events and media and facilitating technical discussion in the community, ARIN is demonstrating its commitment to honoring the Board of Trustees resolution to encourage IPv6 adoption. Please contact [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> if you have any questions about ARIN or want additional information regarding our services.

Cathy Handley
Executive Director
Government Affairs and Public Policy
American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)