Posts Tagged ‘IP’
The Internet Officially Runs Out of Addresses Today, But It’s Not Cause for Panic
Back in 1981, when the internet was little more than an experiment, Internet Protocol Version 4, or IPv4, was created, in which every computer's identifying address is 32 bits long, allowing for a grand total of about 4.3 billion different addresses. These are typically shown as the IP address we're all used to: Four numbers, each ranging from 0 to 255, separated by dots. PopSci.com is 209.208.1.65. The 32-bit length was basically arbitrary--Vint Cerf, who chose that length all those decades ago, said in an interview, "Who the hell knew how much address space we needed?" More than 4.3 billion, it turns out. ICANN, a group set up by the U.S. Department of Commerce, hands out IP addresses in large clumps to regional internet registries, or RIRs, which represent different parts of the world. Those RIRs then lease their addresses to ISPs, both home (like Comcast) and mobile (like Verizon Wireless).
Today, the last 84 million IP addresses were handed out to RIRs. So first of all, we're not out of IP addresses: Those RIRs haven't even begun handing the last addresses to ISPs, and the head of the North American RIR says he doesn't expect to run out for six or nine months. Then the ISPs have to run out. And then there's the curious fact that, according to estimates, only around 14% of all IPv4 addresses are actually being used, though the remainder are unlikely (due to cost, selfishness of owner, or inherent weird engineering) to free up. (You can read more about that process in CNET's excellent explainer.) All in all, we're certainly not "out" of addresses, not for another year or two--but we are certainly getting close. So what's the solution?
The new version, IPv6, has 128-bit addresses, which gives 2128 IPv6 addresses in total--(hopefully) more than we'll ever need. But you can't just start using IPv6, because it and IPv4 are not inter-compatible. If your computer or smartphone only has an IPv6 address, you won't be able to access websites using IPv4, and vice versa. On the server and network side, it generally requires new hardware or new software to make the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, and that cost combined with the fact that nobody uses IPv6 right now has meant that only about 0.25% of the internet is accessible with an IPv6 address.
The solutions to this problem aren't thrilling. Eventually, we'll probably end up with a "dual-stack" configuration, in which the computer can basically use either an IPv4 or IPv6 address as needed. But you don't have to worry about any of that, really. Modern computers (Windows since XP SP1, Mac since OS 10.2) and smartphones support both iterations, and people generally lease modems from their ISP, so the only gadget consumers own that could conceivably be affected is the router--which is not a huge expense, all things considered. (You can check your compatibility here.) For companies, this is going to be a pain in the ass, at best a tricky one and at worst a tricky and expensive one, but for Johnny Websitevisitor, the worst result is some hiccups in the transition and maybe the purchase of a new router--unless the ISPs decide to pass some of their costs onto him.
That's a possibility, but not a likely one. Consumers hate seeing raises in internet costs, and generally the only way an ISP can make that work is by offering some kind of tangibly better experience by way of explanation. That could be speed (as in Verizon FiOS or 4G wireless) or some kind of feature upgrade, but the switch to IPv6 won't offer anything of that sort to consumers. Compared to other projects, like network expansion, it will be relatively affordable. It's also not something that's easy to explain (take it from me), and it's bad business to raise fees for a behind-the-scenes problem that, if successful, will leave a consumer's experience completely unchanged.
[CNET]
Microsoft forms patent agreement with HTC, will receive royalties for all HTC Android phones
In a surprising move this morning, that it has formed a patent agreement with cellphone manufacturer . The deal gives HTC coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for its Android phones, and Microsoft will receive royalties from the company in exchange.
While the agreement could be seen simply as Microsoft extorting money from HTC to avoid another patent lawsuit (like the one it’s currently dealing with ), HTC is also getting something out of it. It gives the company access to a potentially strong portfolio of patents that is far beyond anything Google could offer, and positions it with Microsoft against patent grievances from Apple.
While Microsoft’s press release didn’t go into why it decided to form this agreement with HTC, sources close to the company say that Microsoft believes Android violates its patents, . The company wouldn’t say what Android was infringing, but it could be related to its , which Android is based on. Microsoft deputy general counsel Horacio Gutierrez told Cnet that the company prefers to handle IP issues without lawsuits, but added that “competitors do not free ride on our innovations.” Word is that Microsoft is targeting other Android manufacturers as well.
The strangest thing about this deal is that we now live in a world where Microsoft will be earning money from every HTC Android device sold, including Google’s own Nexus One. HTC has thus far been Google’s primary hardware partner — the company also developed the (the first Android phone), the , and the .
All of this is bad news for Apple. HTC now has help from Microsoft against Apple’s patent lawsuit, and if other Android manufacturers follow HTC’s lead, Microsoft could start benefiting directly from Android’s success.
In a strange way, the move makes complete sense for Microsoft. Its platform doesn’t have much of a chance at destabilizing Apple’s command of the smartphone market — but Android’s presence across multiple carriers and handset manufacturers certainly gives it a better shot. If Android is going to be the new dominant platform, Microsoft might as well make money off of it (while kicking Apple in the shins).
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