In the digital age, where every device, from smartphones to fridges, connects to the Internet, the topic of IP addresses becomes increasingly relevant. An IP address, a unique identifier for devices on the Internet, has seen its fair share of evolution from IPv4 to IPv6. Yet, the question lingers: Are unused IPv4 addresses a hidden treasure?
In a bid to stay ahead in the fierce global tech race, China has set a goal of running a single-stack IPv6 network by 2030. To achieve this goal of having a single IPv6 networking stack for the nation, authorities have issued time-specific milestones to relevant agencies and operators within the Chinese jurisdiction.
Changes in modern-day habits and acceleration of digital transformation have led to an astronomical increase in demands for data transmission speed, capacity, and security. To keep up with these demands, IT firms have to intensify efforts to be better equipped to meet modern-day demands.
The Internet Protocol Exchange Organization, or IPXO for short, is a unique IPv4 lease and monetization platform. The current shortage of IPv4 addresses has led prices to increase dramatically and put pressure on companies wanting to grow their businesses. The IPXO team recognized that they could fill the market void and bridge the gap between supply and demand.
Back in the 1980s, no one would have foreseen that the Internet would grow the way it did and that IPv4 addresses would become a scarce asset. Today, we face a shortage of available IPs and the emergence of a secondary IP address market, proving that IPv4 addresses are sought after and are a valuable commodity.
More than a decade ago, the cost per IP address was around $5, but when IANA allocated the last block of IP addresses in 2011, that soon changed. With the world experiencing a shortage of IPv4 addresses, many companies are now looking for ways to get their hands on IP addresses to continue expanding their businesses.
Increased use of internet services, broader application of IoT devices, and COVID-related shift to remote work are just a few factors accelerating the transition to the new era of the Internet. However, the current network architecture is falling behind the imposed expectations to support new-age integrations, leaving one to wonder if the gap will close up any time soon.
The "IP" in IPv4 and IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol, which is a set of rules that determine how devices transmit data packets across the Internet. Internet Protocol also assigns a unique address to each device on the web. These addresses ensure data packets are routed to the correct device.
Learn how to navigate the current market, including tips on Internet registry policies and contracting best practices in this post-free pool world. Interop ITX is an independent education conference for the IT community and will be held at the Mirage in Las Vegas this year, April 30 - May 4.
With more than 30 years combined experience providing legal counsel to the technology industry, Avenue4's principals have established unique expertise in the IPv4 industry, driving transparency and professionalism in the IPv4 market.