As of October 2010 the IANA has allocated 36/8 and 42/8 to APNIC, leaving only 12 /8s left in the IPv4 free pool. So far the following /8s have been allocated to various registries throughout 2010:
1/8 14/8 27/8 31/8 36/8 42/8 49/8 50/8 101/8 107/8 176/8 177/8 181/8 223/8
If this same rate of registry allocations continues, the IPv4 free pool will be completely exhausted in 2011. Of the 12 /8s that remain, 7 of these will be allocated using the regular process, then the final 5 will be allocated simultaneously across all registries.
Have you started planning for IPv6? If your current provider for hosting, colocation, or other services are coming up for renewal, now is the time to seriously consider switching to a provider that offers native IPv6 so you can start to plan, develop, and test for the future.
Does your provider speak IPv6? Roller Network does.
3 replies on “IANA Free Pool Down to 12, Are You Ready for IPv6?”
Inconsequential at this point. Seven /8’s (plus 5) is a LOT of IPv4 space. IPv4 allocations and usage has become very efficient. Requesting so much as a /24 on the ISP level requires documented justification.
Running out of IPv4 space is similar to the Y2K problem. That situation caused a burst of panic and fear, resulting ultimately in a scattered few slight discomforts. The real Y2K happens at the end of the 32-bit epoch in 2038. By then all practical systems should be 64-bit or better, effectively eliminating the problem.
IPv4 will be no different in this manner. Although IPv6 is a better protocol by design, the widespread acceptance of the protocol was not part of that design. Lacking of CRC checking and conditionally complex addressing makes most people balk. While we (as customers) are glad you guys are ready, we also look upon those like you as early adopters of the protocol. Give it another 10 years before any notable widespread acceptance becomes common. Full-on application implementation is still likely 10-15 years out. Long live IPv4.
Actually, an ISP requesting a /24 does not need to justify usage beyond saying they are going to multihome. When Rollernet started back in the day we obtained two /24s that way with no questions asked on a usage of less than 1%. A single homed end user would need to justify usage.
We have picked up a few customers directly because of IPv6 support; so far they are only government contractors that have IPv6 requirements i.e. DoD subs.
Otherwise we aren’t seeing too much demand for it. We try to push it because it’s one of the few places we can do something our competitors can’t.
..which is another reason I personally am quite comfortable both using your services and recommending them.
Clarification on the subject of justification, I had meant customers of ISPs, same as your situation. 🙂