Imagine the world is a giant city, but the house numbers are running out. Everyone building a new house is told: "Sorry, there are no more unique numbers available." That is exactly what has happened on the internet over the past few years.

The solution? IPv6. At Mediawax, we ensure your website is ready for this new standard. But what exactly is it?

The problem: IPv4 is full

Since the 1980s, the internet has used IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). An IPv4 address looks like this, for example: 192.168.1.1.

The problem is that with this system, "only" about 4.3 billion combinations are possible. In a world full of smartphones, laptops, smart thermostats, and refrigerators, that is simply not enough. Consequently, the last official blocks of IPv4 addresses were given away a long time ago. The solution: IPv6

IPv6 is the successor to IPv4 and is designed to solve the shortage of addresses once and for all. An IPv6 address looks very different, for example:

2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

The difference in capacity is staggering. Where IPv4 stopped at 4.3 billion, IPv6 offers space for 340 sextillion addresses. That is a 340 with 36 zeros. Enough to give every grain of sand on earth its own IP address!

Why is IPv6 important for your website?

Besides the fact that it is simply necessary because the old addresses have run out, IPv6 offers even more benefits:
Speed: IPv6 is designed to be more efficient. Routers can process data packets faster, which benefits your website's loading time. Security: IPv6 is built with security (IPsec) in mind, ensuring a more secure data connection between visitor and server.
Future-proofing: More and more mobile networks and providers are switching entirely to IPv6. If your website does not support this, traffic must go through "translation layers" (NAT), which can cause delays.

How do you know if you are ready?

At Mediawax, we configure our servers with Dual Stack by default. This means that your website is accessible via both IPv4 (for older connections) and IPv6 (for the modern world). This way, you exclude no one and are ready for the coming decades.

Conclusion

IPv6 is not just a technical update; it is the foundation of the modern internet. It ensures that the internet can continue to grow and that your business remains accessible anytime, anywhere.

Is your hosting ready for the future?