World IPv6 Day

The IPv6 World Day is a world wide initiative which promotes a 24 hour testing period on the latest Internet Protocol (IP) version,

Why do we need a version 6 of the IP?

The Internet Protocol (IP) defines, amongst other things, the address that each server/computer has on the Internet. For example, the version 4 of this protocol uses four sets of numbers between 0-254 to represent an IP address (123.123.123.123). The latest predictions say that there will be no more IPv4 addresses left around July 2011.

About 20 years ago, when the IPv4 was first implemented, only a few people had Internet access. However, that access became widespread at a raging speed. Today, the more than 4 billion IP addresses assured by IPv4 are pratically sold out.

This is the main reason that led to the need to create a new Internet Protocol version, a version which could provide a larger number of addresses in order to avoid this problem in a nearby future. So, the IPv6 allows the creation of 3.4x10³⁸ IP addresses, an astronomical and virtually inexhautible.

How to change from IPv4 to IPv6?

In order to change the Internet Protocol it will be necessary to modify the entire network, since the equipment ready for IPv4 do not read information sent by IPv6 ready equipments and vice versa. So, during a transition period (for a few years), it will be necessary to use dual stack equipments, able to read both versions.

Later, only IPv6 equipments will be commercialized.

What is Plako doing to get ready for the change?

Plako's servers are equiped with dual stack technology since 2003. So, we can make sure that the transition will occur smoothly when the IPv4 solds out for good.

Plako always has a concern in keeping up (and, if possible, antecipate) the constant changes which occur on the Internet world, in order to best serv our clients and partners.