 to Hurricane Electric, an internet backbone and services provider based in Fremont, California, the internet will run out of bulk IP addresses sometime next week—given the rate addresses are currently being gobbled up.The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) will then have doled out all its so-called "slash-eight" blocks of addresses to the five regional internet registries around the world. In turn, the registries are expected to have allocated all their remaining addresses to local network operators by October at the latest. After that, any organisation applying for new addresses will be told, sorry, none left.The issue is real and has been a long time in the making. The Economist first warned about it ten years ago (see " Upgrading the internet ", March 22nd 2001). The problem concerns the address space of the existing version of the internet protocol (IPv4), which is only 32 bits wide. The total number of binary addresses possible with such an arrangement is therefore two raised to the power 32—or roughly 4.3 billion in decimal terms. Back in the 1980s, when the internet connected just a couple of dozen research institutes in America, that seemed like a huge number. Besides, the internet was thought at the time to be just a temporary network anyway.But with the invention of the web in 1990 came an explosion in popular demand. It was soon clear that it was only a matter of time before the internet would exhaust its supply of addresses. Work on a replacement for IPv4 began in the early 1990s, with IPv6 finally being made available around 1998 (IPv5 was an experimental protocol for streaming audio and video that has since ceased to exist). By giving the new internet version an address space of 128 bits, the designers pretty well guaranteed that it would not run out of unique identifiers for decades, or even centuries, to come.Two raised to the 128th power is an astronomical number. In decimal terms, it is roughly 340 billion billion billion billion—or, as Martin Levy of Hurricane Electric likes to say, “more than four quadrillion addresses for every star in the observable universe.”That will come in handy when the "internet of things" becomes a reality (see “ Chattering objects ”, August 13th 2010). Already, some two billion people have access to the internet. Add all the televisions, phones, cars and household appliances that are currently being given internet access—plus, eventually, every book, pill case and item of inventory as
to Hurricane Electric, an internet backbone and services provider based in Fremont, California, the internet will function out of bulk IP address sometime next week — given the pace addresses are currently being gobbled up. The Internet put Numbers Authority (IANA) will then have doled out all its so - called " cut - eight " blocks of addresses to the five regional internet register around the world. In turn, the registries are expected to have allocate all their remaining addresses to local net operators by October at the late. After that, any administration applying for new addresses will be order, sorry, none left. The issue is real and has been a retentive time in the making. The Economist first warned about it ten years ago (witness " Upgrading the internet ", March 22nd 2001). The problem concerns the address space of the exist version of the internet protocol (IPv4), which is only 32 bits wide. The total number of binary addresses possible with such an arrangement is therefore two raised to the ability 32 — or roughly 4.3 billion in decimal terms. Back in the eighties, when the internet connect barely a couple of dozen research institutes in America, that seemed like a huge number. Besides, the internet was thought at the time to be barely a temporary network anyway. But with the invention of the web in 1990 came an explosion in democratic demand. It was soon clear that it was only a matter of time before the internet would exhaust its supply of address. Work on a replacement for IPv4 began in the early 1990s, with IPv6 finally being cook available around 1998 (IPv5 was an experimental protocol for streaming audio and video that has since discontinue to exist). By giving the new internet version an address distance of 128 bits, the designers reasonably well guaranteed that it would not run out of unique identifiers for decade, or even centuries, to do. Two raised to the 128th power is an astronomical number. In decimal terms, it is approximately 340 billion billion billion billion — or, as Martin Levy of Hurricane Electric likes to say, “ more than four quadrillion addresses for every headliner in the observable universe. ”That will come in handy when the " internet of things " becomes a world (see “ Chattering object ”, August 13th 2010). Already, some two billion people have access to the internet. Add all the televisions, phones, cars and family appliances that are currently being given internet access — plus, eventually, every book, pill case and item of stock as
 to Hurricane Electric, an ikternet backbone and secvices lrovider based in Fremont, California, tye inuvrnet will run out of bulk IP wddressew sonwtime next week—givcu the vate cdvresses are curtently being gobbled up.The Ivtzrnet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANW) will yhfn have doled jut sjl ifs so-called "slash-eight" blocks of asdressev to the five regional internet registrles wround the world. Ij turn, the tsgifrries are exoected to have allocatgd all their remaining addresses to lpcal netwotk oogrators by Ortober at the latest. After that, amy organisatiok appnyibg for new addresses xill be told, sorry, njne left.Tve issue is real ane yas bgen a lone tioe jn tge maklng. The Econojist first qarned about it ten yqqrs ago (see " Hpgradynd the internet ", March 22nd 2001). The problem cmncsrns the address space if the existing versiln of the internet protocol (IPv4), which is only 32 bits wide. Tve tovau nbnber ud hinary addresses possible with such an arrangqjemt is therefore bwo raised to the loaet 32—or roughly 4.3 cilliou ih decimal terms. Bafk in tre 1980s, qhen the yntetnet connected just a couplw of dozen rvseaech institutes in Cmerica, that seeked loke a huge number. Besidzs, the internet wws thoughf at the time to ce musd a temporary network anywwy.But witi the inventkon pf the web in 1990 cwme ak explosion in popupar dgmand. Ht was sooj clear that it was only a mattxc of time befpra tve interuet womld exhaust its supply of addtesses. Woxk on x replacemvnt for I'v4 began in ehe early 1990s, whjh IPv6 finallb being mwde qvaioable afuund 1998 (IPv5 was sn experimental prorocol for streaminn audkk and video thac yas since ceasec tu evidt). Br giving the tew kntdtnet xersion an cdaresx space of 128 bits, the desjgners pretty well gmaranteed that it would not rum out of unique idtntifixrs foc decaces, or even centuries, to come.Two daised to thc 128th power is an qstronomical number. In decimal terms, it is roughly 340 billion billion bullion billion—or, as Kartin Levy of Htrricane Alectric likes to sat, “more than four auadrillion addresses for eeery dtar in the observable universe.”That will come in handy when the "internet if thiigf" becomes a reakity (vez “ Ehatteryng lujects ”, August 13th 2010). Already, some two billion peopue have dceess to the internet. Add all yhd televisions, phones, cars and househomd applisnces that are currently being biven internet access—plux, eventuqlly, svery book, pill case and itek of iuventoey as
to Hurricane Electric, an internet backbone and based Fremont, California, internet will run sometime week—given the rate are currently being up.The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) then have doled out all its so-called "slash-eight" blocks of addresses to the regional internet registries around the world. In turn, the registries are expected to allocated their addresses local network operators by October at the latest. After that, any organisation applying for new addresses be told, sorry, none left.The issue is real has been a long in the making. The Economist warned it ten ago " the internet ", 22nd 2001). The problem concerns the address space of the existing version of the internet protocol (IPv4), is only wide. The number binary possible with such is therefore two raised to the 4.3 billion in decimal terms. Back in the when the connected just a couple of dozen institutes in America, that seemed like a huge Besides, the internet was thought at the time to be just a temporary network anyway.But invention of the web 1990 came an in demand. was clear that was only a matter of time before the internet would exhaust supply of addresses. Work on a replacement for IPv4 began early with IPv6 finally made available around 1998 was experimental protocol for streaming video has exist). giving new internet version an space of 128 bits, the pretty well guaranteed that of unique identifiers for decades, or even centuries, come.Two raised to the 128th power is astronomical number. In decimal terms, it is roughly 340 billion billion billion as Martin Hurricane Electric likes to say, “more than four addresses for every star the observable universe.”That will come in handy when the of becomes a (see “ Chattering ”, August 13th Already, some two have access the Add phones, cars and household appliances that currently given internet access—plus, eventually, every pill item of inventory as
 to Hurricane Electric, an inteRnet backboNe and SerVicEs ProvIder Based in Fremont, cAlifOrnia, the internet will ruN out oF bULk IP ADdResseS sometiME nEXT weEk—GiVen ThE RaTe addResSes are cUrrently beIng GoBbled up.The InTErNet AssigneD NuMbers AuthoriTy (IaNA) wilL tHen HAve doLed Out alL its so-CAlled "sLash-eight" BlOCks of aDDresses TO ThE fivE regional internet REgIStries around thE world. in TUrN, THe rEgiStries are eXpEcted TO have alLOcATED alL Their remaininG addresses tO LocAl netwOrK opERators By OctObER at The latest. AfTer tHat, any orgAnisatIOn applyINg for neW addreSseS wiLl be TOlD, sOrrY, nONe lEFt.the ISsuE is real aNd HaS been A lonG TIME in tHe mAkinG. The EConomist first WarNed aBOut It ten Years Ago (sEe " upgraDing thE inteRnEt ", March 22nd 2001). The proBlem Concerns tHe aDdResS sPace oF The exiStiNg vErsion oF the intERneT pROTOcOl (IPv4), which is only 32 biTs WIDe. the total Number OF bInARy addresSeS poSsibLE With sUch aN ArRangemenT is theREfOrE two raiSeD to the PoWer 32—Or rOughlY 4.3 BillIon in dEcimal teRms. BaCK in the 1980s, when the INternet connecTEd JUSt A CoupLe oF dozen reseaRch iNStitUtes IN AMerICa, thaT seemEd LIkE A huge number. Besides, tHe InternEt was Thought at the tIme to be jusT A TEmporary NetwORk ANyway.But with thE inveNtion of the WEb in 1990 came An expLosion in Popular deMANd. It was sOon CleAr tHat IT WaS only a matter oF TIme bEfOre the iNteRnet wouLd eXhaUst Its SuPply of addResses. WoRk On A rEpLacEment FOr IPv4 begAn In tHe EarLy 1990s, wiTH IPv6 fiNally BeinG mAdE AvaIlable aROuND 1998 (iPv5 wAs An ExpeRimEnTal prOtocOL foR streamIng audio aNd vIDeo tHaT hAs since Ceased to exist). by Giving the nEw IntErnet vERSion an adDress space of 128 bits, the desiGNers preTty Well gUaraNteed that It wOuld noT ruN Out of uNique iDentiFiErs FOR decaDES, oR evEn Centuries, tO COme.two raIsEd to The 128th poWer is an astronomicaL NumBer. In decimal tErmS, it iS ROuGhlY 340 BiLLioN bILliON Billion billion—oR, as Martin LEvY Of hurricane ELEctRiC likes tO say, “morE than FOur quadRillion adDresses foR eVery STAr iN the observAble univErse.”That wILl comE In Handy WheN the "inTeRneT of thIngs" beCOmeS a reaLity (seE “ CHatterIng obJeCts ”, AugusT 13th 2010). Already, some two billioN peoplE have AccEss to the iNteRNet. add all the TeleVisions, phoNes, CarS and hOusEHold aPpliANcEs tHAt are CurrENtly being GIvEn iNTErNet access—plUS, EVenTuallY, evERy book, Pill Case and item of inveNTory as
 to Hurricane Electric, an  internetbackb one  an dserv ices  provider base d  inFremont, California, t he in te r netw il l run  out of bu l k  IP  a dd res se s  s ometi menext we ek—given t hera te addresses ar e currentl y b eing gobbled  up .The I nt ern e t Ass ign ed Nu mbersA uthori ty (IANA)  w i ll the n  have d o l ed  out  all its so-calle d  " s lash-eight" bl ocks o fa dd r e sse s t o the five  r egion a l inter n et r e gis t ries around t he world. I n  tu rn, th ereg i stries  areex p ect ed to haveallo cated all  their remaini n g addre sses t o l oca l ne t wo rk  op er a tor s  b y O c tob er at th ela test.  Aft e r t hat,  an y or ganis ation applyin g f or n e w a ddres ses w illbe  told , sorr y, no ne  left.The issue  isreal andhas  b een  a  long time i n t hemaking.  The Ec o nom is t f ir st warned about it  t e n  y ears ago  (see"  U pg r ading th eint erne t ", Ma rch2 2n d 2001).  The p r ob le m conce rn s thead dre ssspace of t he exi sting ve rsion of the interne t  protocol (IP v 4) , wh i ch i s o nly 32 bits  wid e . Th e to t al  nu m ber o f bin ar y  a d dresses possible wi th  suchan ar rangement isthereforet w o  raisedto t h ep ower 32—or rou ghly4.3 billio n  in deci mal t erms. Ba ck in the 1 980s, wh enthe  in ter n e tconnected jus t a co up le of d oze n resea rch  in sti tut es  in Ameri ca, that  s ee me dlik e a h u ge numbe r.  Be si des , the intern et wa s th ou gh t  at  the ti m et o  beju st  a t emp or ary n etwo r k a nyway.B ut with t hei nven ti on  of the  web in 1990ca me an expl os ion  in po p u lar dema nd. It was soon clear t h at it w asonlya ma tter of t ime  befor e t h e inte rnet w ouldex hau s t  itss u pp lyof  addresses . Wor k onarepl acement  for IPv4 began in the  early 1990s,  wi th I P v 6fin a ll y  be in g  ma d e  available arou nd 1998 (I Pv 5  w as an expe r ime nt al prot ocol fo r str e aming a udio andvideo tha thass i nce  ceased to  exist).  By givin g  then ew  inte rne t vers io n a n add ress s p ace  of 1 28 bit s,  the d esign er s pretty  well guaranteed that i t woul d not  ru n out ofuni q ueidentifie rs f or decades , o r e ven c ent u ries,  toc om e.T w o rai sedt o the 128 t hpow e r  i s an astron o m i cal  numb er. In dec imal  terms, it is rou g hly 340 billio n bi l l ion  bi l lion  b illion—or, asMar ti n Levy ofHu rricane Ele ctric li ke s  to s ay, “m ore th an four q ua d rillio n ad dre sses foreve ry star in  t he observ able  u nivers e.”Tha t  wil l come in handy wh en th e "inte r net  of t hi ngs" be c omes  a reality  (see “ Cha tterin g ob jects  ”, Aug us t 13th  20 10 ). Already ,  some two  bill ion peo pl e ha veaccess  tot h e int erne t.  Ad d all the t el e vi si o ns,  pho nes,ca rs a nd househ o ld appli anc e s thatar e c u r rently be i n g given in ter net a c c ess—plus,e vent u al l y, ev ery bo ok, pi ll case and  i tem ofinv e n tory as
 to_Hurricane Electric,_an internet backbone and_services provider_based_in Fremont,_California,_the internet will_run out of_bulk IP addresses sometime_next week—given the_rate_addresses are currently being gobbled up.The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) will then have_doled_out all_its_so-called_"slash-eight" blocks of addresses to_the five regional internet registries_around the_world. In turn, the registries are expected to_have_allocated all their_remaining addresses to local network operators by October at_the latest. After that, any organisation_applying for new_addresses_will_be told, sorry, none_left.The issue is real and has_been a long time in the_making. The Economist first warned about it_ten years ago (see " Upgrading_the internet ", March 22nd_2001). The_problem concerns the address space_of the existing_version of_the internet protocol_(IPv4), which is only 32 bits_wide. The total_number of binary addresses possible with_such_an arrangement is_therefore_two_raised to_the power 32—or_roughly_4.3 billion_in_decimal terms. Back in the 1980s,_when_the internet connected just a couple of_dozen research institutes in_America,_that seemed like a_huge number. Besides, the internet_was thought at the time to_be just_a temporary_network anyway.But with the invention of the web in 1990 came_an explosion in popular demand. It_was soon clear that_it was_only_a matter of_time_before the_internet would exhaust its supply of addresses._Work on_a replacement for IPv4 began in_the early 1990s, with_IPv6_finally being made available around 1998_(IPv5 was an experimental protocol for_streaming audio and video that_has_since_ceased to exist). By giving_the new internet version an address_space of 128_bits, the designers pretty well guaranteed that_it_would not run out of unique_identifiers_for decades, or even centuries, to_come.Two_raised_to the 128th power is_an astronomical number. In decimal terms,_it is roughly 340 billion billion billion billion—or, as_Martin Levy of_Hurricane Electric likes to say,_“more_than_four quadrillion addresses for every star in the observable universe.”That_will come_in handy when_the "internet of things" becomes a reality (see “ Chattering_objects ”, August 13th 2010). Already, some_two billion people have access to the internet. Add all the_televisions, phones, cars and household appliances that are_currently being given internet access—plus, eventually, every_book, pill case and_item_of inventory as