Are We Really Running Out of Internet Addresses?

It's Chicken Little time for Internet addresses. The Sydney Morning Herald has kicked off a new round of worries with a tabloid headline for tech geeks -- "Less than a year until internet addresses run dry." We're not talking about domain names, but rather Internet Protocol addresses. IP addresses are unique numbers that identify all those things we connect to the Internet, including our computers, websites and smartphones. It's true we are starting to run short, but hope is on the horizon.

Here's what you need to know:

IPv4 is the protocol that we currently rely on to hand out IP addresses. It was developed several decades ago when things like personal websites, smartphones and iPads didn't exist. The growth spurt of Web-connected mobile gadgets has put a strain on the availability of IPv4 numbers. IPv4 was only good for just over 4 billion addresses anyway. It was inevitable that it would just up and run out some day. That day is getting closer and closer.

This shiny protocol is the new kid on the block. It makes IPv4 look like the outdated, un-hip nerd that it is. IPv6 means tons more IP addresses and better performance. The big problem is that because IPv6 is new, it doesn't have very many friends. Getting acquainted with IPv6 can be a bit of hassle. It requires dealing with software upgrades and, sometimes, new hardware. Once everybody realizes just how hopeless IPv4 is, IPv6 is going to rack up a ton of new buddies very quickly.

Doomsday scenarios say that a lack of IP addresses could lead to rationing, Internet connection waits and even a black market of addresses for sale. Take a deep breath. You don't have to start hoarding IP addresses like they were bottled water and cans of Spam before Y2K. Current Mac and Windows operating systems are already on board with IPv6. Certain smartphones, including Apple's iPhone, are ready to go. Yes, the IP address situation is a big problem, but it's not going to cause the Internet's demise.

IPv4 and IPv6 can coexist with each other for the period of time it will take to make the transition. The Internet service providers, hardware manufacturers, and software developers that need to make changes will do so. Because it has to happen, it will happen. Granted, this will probably all be done at the last possible moment because very few companies want to make the investment before they absolutely have to. We made it through the telephone number exhaustion scare. We made it past Y2K. Someday, we'll all be sitting around with our IPv6 addresses, wondering what all the fuss was about.