| 01 Nov 2008 |
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World Wide Web to get new addressing system
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Saturday, Nov 01, 2008
Gulf News
Dubai: The internet is getting an update to its addressing system, and the UAE is getting ready for the switch.
Currently, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which allow computers on the Internet to find each other, run on a system (IPv4) that can handle about 4 billion addresses. Roughly 85% of unique addresses on IPv4 have already been used up, and the rest are expected to run out by 2010.
International decision makers gathered in Dubai recently to discuss the issues pertaining to the IP system and the allocation of the remaining addresses in IPv4.
Abdullah Hashim, vice-president of enterprise solutions at etisalatetisalat
, said: "We are driving our agenda for this region with the policy makers. The decisions are being made by a few people behind closed doors, but will impact us all."
While others are still vying for the remaining 15 per cent, the UAE is moving ahead in its transition towards the new version, IPv6, which will immensely multiply the number of available addresses.
EtisalatEtisalat has begun testing the infrastructure for IPv6 and are deploying it to customers who are prepared for the change.
"The vendors, with their new equipment also need to push for IPv6. There are many players who drive this change," Hashim added.
Meanwhile, MicrosoftMicrosoft has been rolling out products that are IPv6 enabled, for the past few years now.
, said: "85% per cent of our market is IPv6 enabled with the software that they use." He added that though the capabilities are available, the question remains about the rate of adoption. "There is a need for the broader industry to help make the shift and that will happen over time. No one knows when the transition will be completed, but it has already started," Arif said.
A gradual transition period is expected before the move can be complete. Sultan Al Shamsi, manager, UAEnic, IP and domain name registrar, etisalatetisalat, said that the two systems will need to run parallel to one another for about two to three years to ensure compatibility and a smooth shift.
© Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
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