Ipv4 explained: the foundation of the internet

The internet as we know it today would not exist without the internet protocol (ip). This protocol is responsible for addressing and routing packets of data between computers over the internet. One of the most widely used versions of this protocol is ipv4, or internet protocol version 4. In this article, we delve deeper into what ipv4 exactly is, why it is so important, and how companies can benefit from trading in ipv4 addresses.

What is ipv4?

Ipv4 is the fourth version of the internet protocol and was first introduced in 1983. It is the most widely used version of the ip and forms the basis for most internet communication. Ipv4 addresses consist of 32 bits and are usually represented as four decimal numbers separated by dots, for example: 192.168.0.1.

Structure of an ipv4 address

An ipv4 address consists of two main components: the network part and the host part. The network part identifies the specific network to which the address belongs, while the host part identifies the specific device within that network. This structure makes it possible to efficiently route data from one computer to another.

Limitations of ipv4

Although ipv4 is a robust and reliable protocol, it has some limitations. The most notable limitation is the number of available addresses. With a 32-bit address space, there are approximately 4.3 billion unique ipv4 addresses possible. Although this initially seemed sufficient, the demand for ip addresses has grown exponentially with the rise of the internet and the explosion of connected devices.

The problem of ipv4 exhaustion

The rapid growth of the internet has led to an increasing demand for ip addresses. In 2011, the internet assigned numbers authority (iana) announced that the last blocks of ipv4 addresses had been allocated. This means that no new ipv4 addresses are available for allocation, leading to a scarcity of available addresses.

Solutions for ipv4 exhaustion

Several solutions have been proposed to address the problem of ipv4 exhaustion. One of the most obvious solutions is the transition to ipv6, the latest version of the internet protocol. Ipv6 offers a much larger address space, solving the problem of address exhaustion. However, the transition to ipv6 is slow, and many networks remain dependent on ipv4.

Another solution is to reuse and redistribute existing ipv4 addresses. This has led to the emergence of a secondary market for ipv4 addresses, where companies can buy and sell ipv4 addresses to meet their network needs.

The trade in ipv4 addresses

The trade in ipv4 addresses has become a growing market, driven by the scarcity of available addresses and the continued dependence on ipv4. Companies looking to expand or optimize their networks can benefit from this market by buying or selling ipv4 addresses.

Benefits of buying and selling ipv4 addresses

Buying and selling ipv4 addresses offers several benefits for companies. For buyers, it provides a way to quickly obtain the necessary addresses without having to wait for the transition to ipv6. For sellers, it offers an opportunity to monetize unused or underutilized addresses.