When you do start seeing IPv6 addressees show up in the future, the first thing you will notice is the length of their addressable space. The ISOC offers this address as an example: 2001:db8:1f70:999:de8:7648:6e8.

Without going into the nitty-gritty about security, you will no longer have to worry about NAT devices with IPv6 if you make the switch. IPsec is mandated as well, which is only optional in IPv4 and offers an extra element of security.

The key difference is that the longer spaces that IPv6 offers means that trillions and trillions of the addresses will be available in the future. It is thus safe to safe that IPv6 addresses will be available beyond your grandchildren's lifetimes, when none of this will matter anyway.

Bruce covers tech trends in the United States and Europe and can be reached through his Website at .