IPv6 addresses are running out, and operators are launching IPv6 pilot projects

As the global IPv4 addresses are about to run out "in the next few weeks", the industry generally believes that the early exhaustion of IPv4 addresses will accelerate the development of IPv6, which is currently the only viable way to solve the shortage of IP addresses.

Since last year, telecom operators China Telecom and China Mobile have launched IPv6 pilot projects.

Vinton Cerf, the "Father of the Internet", is currently the Vice President and Chief Internet Advisor of Google in the United States. In 1977, he created the Internet communication protocol "IPv4" to allow computers around the world to connect to each other. The IP address is a series of numbers assigned to each computer, website or other networked device, and each IP address is unique.

Previously, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) had predicted that IPv4 addresses would be exhausted in August 2011. Some experts believe that the emphasis on the development of the Internet of Things and the popularization of various smart terminals in various countries around the world are important reasons for the accelerated exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, and the only solution is to replace the new generation of IP protocol: IPv6.

Zhang Tao, an analyst at Shanghai Securities, said that judging from the current number of computer and mobile phone users in China, IPv4 can still provide support, but as the Internet of Things places higher demands on networks, IPv4 addresses are clearly no longer sufficient. The development of IPv6 can also be considered as necessary network preparation for the future development of the Internet of Things.

The protocol transition from IPv4 to IPv6 has already started worldwide. It is reported that the first trial day of the IPv6 protocol system will be 24 hours from 00:01 on June 8, 2011, Greenwich time. At that time, websites such as the Internet search engine Google and the social networking site Facebook will take the lead in launching the IPv6 protocol system to provide a testing and analysis platform for users and engineers.

Since last year, China Telecom and China Mobile have started IPv6 pilot projects in some regions, including testing of IPv6 protocol interoperability, base construction and network management.

Liu Hongjun, an analyst at Huachuang Securities, said that judging from the current trend, the early exhaustion of IP addresses will accelerate the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, and thus accelerate the replacement of existing routers and Ethernet switches by new products supporting IPv6 by telecom operators, enterprises and government LANs. Currently, domestic listed companies ZTE and StarNet Ruijie provide related equipment.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.