IPV6

In a world where the spread of the Internet grows at exponential speed, the lack of
address space is a dire problem. It is not a matter of if, but when, IPv4 address space will
run out. Address re-use is a short-term solution that restricts facilities. Address re-use
mechanisms work for people who just use e-mail and the Web, but it is not viable for
servers, which need dedicated IP addresses. Scarcity of IP addresses will lead to
rationing, either by arbitrary control, or by price.

With IP Version 6 (IPv6) there will be no scarcity of addresses. IPv6 is not simply a
version of IPv4 with a mammoth address space. It has characteristics of its own.
The IPv6 network will become a sphere of space that can be easily navigated, instead of
the daunting jungle it could easily become. Address assignment and network maintenance
will become more manageable and will continue to be manageable even in the face of an
ever-expanding IPv6 network.