The Internet community has for decades been forewarned of the fast depleting IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) addresses. But as the Internet clock continues to click, some camps are still saying that some organisations, including technology vendors, are not yet prepared for the transition.
The Number Resource Organization (NRO), the body which represents the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), recently announced that the final five remaining address blocks (one "/8" block containing about 16.5 million IP addresses) have been allocated equally among the world's five regions.
This means all IP addresses using the IPv4 protocol "is now fully depleted" and it is up to the regional registries -- APNIC in the case of the Asia Pacific region -- to allocate these to organisations or Internet service providers (ISPs) requiring IP addresses.
Each computer and device that connects to the Internet is identified by an IP address. With more and more people wanting to connect to the Internet, the four billion unique IP addresses developed in the 1980s are expected to run out anytime soon. And the allocation of the blocks to the regions is an indication that time is running short.
This regional allocation followed after APNIC applied with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority's (IANA) to get two of the earlier seven "/8" (slash 8) blocks, reducing the pool to the five.
Analysts said 2011 is the year for rationing the remaining IP addresses and APNIC said it has already set a "strict allocation policy" in place. Australia-based APNIC said "all new and existing APNIC Members will be entitled to a single /22 of IPv4 space, if they meet the current criteria."
"This policy ensures that every network in the region has access to enough IPv4 space to conduct IPv6 transition procedures, including building new networks. This policy helps to ensure that developing economies in our region do not get left behind in the transition," said Paul Wilson, director general, APNIC.
APNIC attributed the fast depletion of the IPv4 addresses in the region to economic development. APNIC noted that the region is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world.
The not-for-profit, membership-based group also noted the surge in the development of networks providing mobile Internet connections.
Research and analyst firm Ovum forecasted that mobile-only Internet users could reach one billion users by 2015. Yet, a mobile device is just one of the means to connect to the Internet.
Wilson said: "Strict allocation policies are in place to ensure IP addresses are available to those with a demonstrated need. However, the Asia Pacific community is consuming vast amounts of address space as it fuels growth across the region. It is APNIC's duty to manage the available address space responsibly and equitably for the benefit of everyone in the Asia Pacific."
But no matter how prepared, an independent analyst firm said the Internet world will still be taken by surprise when the IPv4 addresses are finally exhausted.
Said Craig Skinner, senior consultant, Ovum: "Despite the plentiful predictions and warnings for some time that this point was approaching, some organisations will undoubtedly be caught by surprise. IPv6 addresses were designed as the solution to the predicted shortage of IPv4 addresses, but as an industry, it has been easier to extend usage of IPv4 rather than undergo the challenge of transitioning to IPv6."
Ovum sees this year as the year of "rationing" for the last remaining IPv4 addresses as the industry still prepares for the transition.