To most users of the internet, the specific version of Internet Protocol standard is not normally something to be concerned with. For what it’s worth we’re mostly currently on IPv4, but that is looking to change further down the line. Bernama quotes the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as saying that the country has started preparations to migrate to IPv6.
The report also notes that Malaysia is the third country in the world to have started the process of moving to IPv6. Derek John Fernandez of the MCMC says that “we will try to get the National Internet Registry registration number for Malaysia so that these addresses can be placed under the government’s jurisdiction, which will take between three to five years”. The report also cites him as saying that the country “does not have full authority over IP addresses which are an important asset of the country”.
One of the key benefits of moving from IPv4 to IPv6 is the use of longer addresses. The short version of it is that the former uses 32-bit addresses, leading to a pool of about 4.3 billion addresses. The latter, on the other hand, uses 128-bit addresses, and as a result can handle exponentially more (slightly over 3.4×1038, or 340 undecillion). There’s also the benefit of increased security over the web.
While the migration all sounds good, it’s worth mentioning that the process will take between three to five years. But as mentioned, even when it does happen, chances are most users of the internet will also only be enjoying the benefits passively, rather than actively noticing a difference.
(Source: Bernama)
