Crap! We are running out of internet addresses...

[madinmaryland]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/07/23/internet.addresses/index.html?hpt=T2

(CNN) -- Don't panic, but we're running out of internet addresses.

Not domain names -- those website names that you see at the top of this page and which always start with some semblance of "http://" and "www."

We've got plenty of those.

But, according to statements from prominent internet thinkers this week, we may run out of internet protocol -- or IP -- addresses in less than a year.

IP addresses are numbers assigned to all of the devices -- computers, phones, cars, wireless sensors, etc. -- that log on to the internet.

..snip

Someday soon we may actually reach the end of the internets and then have to go find something real to do!

[kentauros]

1. I was wondering when that would happen.

So, is this like the Y2K problem and we'll all have to download some patch to 'fix' things?

Someday, we in the US will also realize the simplicity and superiority of the 8-digit license plates used across the globe, minus all the fiddly bits we insist on adding to "beautify" something meant for easy/quick identification ;)

[Hosnon]

2. IPv6 will fix this - and my understanding is that IP addresses under that system are

already being assigned parallel to IPv4.

[madinmaryland]

4. Yes. According to the artical, the addresses will go from 32bit to 128bit,

which will exponentially increase the number of addresses.

[KamaAina]

3. So that's what Prince was talking about!

:sarcasm:

[madinmaryland]

5. Lebron was talking about the internet?? I thought he was talking about his

income expanding exponentially and his title chances running out in Cleveland!

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