This Generation's Y2K!

STOP THE PRESSES - The Internet Ceases to Grow!! 


Although not completely factual, there is some truth to that headline. When the Internet was developing, back in the 1970's, a numbering system was devised to uniquely identify every device on the Internet. This number is known as an Internet Protocol, or IP, address. (To determine the IP address of your computer, visit http:/www.whatismyip.com). The general form of an IP address is a maximum of three digits followed by a period, followed by three more digits, followed by a period, followed by three more digits, followed by a period, followed by three more digits. This notation is known as IPv4. For example 44.444.444.4 could be a valid IP address. (Because of this known form, IP address is also what hackers use to bring into your computer. Firewalls help stop that activity).  This numbering system allows for around four billion addresses. Problem is that they are running out, as the people who devised IPv4 could not predict the rapid growth of the Internet and the amount of mobile and portable devices that are  attached to the Internet. IPv4 numbers are expected to run out by September 2011. (Oh no, not a 9/11 conspiracy to halt Internet growth!!).