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IPv6 Forum Singapore

IPv4 Exhuastion Counter

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FAQs

1. What is meant by IPv4 exhaustion?

The “pool” of available IPv4 addresses is almost empty. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numerical addresses, for example, 10.142.131.235. There are 232, or just over four billion, unique IPv4 addresses. As of 2009, most of these four billion IPv4 addresses had been allocated for use or reserved for a specific technical purpose.

2.How and when will Singapore be affected by IPv4 exhaustion?

Singapore-based Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who obtain IP addresses from the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) have to compete with heavy demand from countries like China and India for IP addresses. Taking into account the reserve IP addresses held by local ISPs, the direct impact of IPv4 exhaustion is expected to be felt within the next decade.

3. What will happen if Singapore does not transition to IPv6?

Singapore is a progressive and leading economy in the region, and the danger of a non-IPv6 infrastructure means that economic growth will be stalled as a result of the inability to grow the Internet economy and to participate in new growth opportunities that require IPv6-ready infrastructure.

4. As an end user, what should I do about IPv6?

As an end user, you will not really notice the effect of IPv4 exhaustion for the foreseeable future. It will not make any significant difference to you whether you access the Internet using an IPv6 or an IPv4 address. However, in the future there may be parts of the Internet that you cannot reach if the destination is an IPv6-only network and your ISP does not provide its customers with IPv6 addresses.

5. What should companies be doing about IPv4 to V6 transition?

In general, both industry players and enterprises should plan thoroughly, buy correctly and transition appropriately. Should they not pay attention to ensuring IPv6 capabilities, their business growth may be affected as the pool of IPv4 addresses allocated to ISPs reduces over time. This may affect their ability to serve their customers in terms of access to new IPv6 websites. Operating in IPv4 environment may also become increasingly costly as they will compete for scarce IPv4 resources.

Companies should note that there is no one-size-fit-all implementation plan, as it is dependent on unique conditions of organisations and their preferred technical transition solution.

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