WyldRyde On Track for IPv6 Adoption

In the last year or so you have likely heard and read quite a bit about IPv6, the latest version of the Internet Protocol that will allow for an exponentially higher number of IP addresses on the Internet and ultimately solving the otherwise disastrously low number of IPv4 addresses on the Internet right now.  At this stage in the game, IPv6 is still being implemented in “testing” stages with most ISP’s and data-centers.  But in a few years – and already to an extent today – IPv6 will become a fundamental component of the Internet.

As IPv6 is a complete overhaul of the Internet Protocol, users with only an IPv4 connection cannot communicate with other users and servers that operate only on IPv6 and vice versa.  Again, this is not a huge issue as of yet because there are very few people or servers that have IPv6-only connections.  In fact, it has been estimated that the number of users who have IPv6 connections (even those who have both IPv4 and IPv6) is less than one percent.  But as the number of IPv4 addresses diminishes and the number of IPv6 users increases, this is becoming a growing concern for many.

On top of this, the vast number of IPv6 addresses available means that each and every compatible device will be able to have its own IPv6 address, eliminating the need for NAT (Network Address Translation) behind routers.  Because of this, the widespread implementation of IPv6 will lead to speedier connections with less latency as well.

Here at WyldRyde we’re always taking concern in how our network will fare with the latest technological innovations, and IPv6 is definitely not an exception.  So how are we handling the implementation of IPv6?

As of right now, Nikon.WyldRyde.org has an IPv6 address assigned to and configured for it.  This means that users connecting to Nikon.Wyldryde.org, IRC.WyldRyde.org, or our newly-formed IPv6.WyldRyde.org round-robin (over an IPv6 connection, of course) will connect to WyldRyde via IPv6 if their client is configured (or capable) of doing so.

But one server isn’t enough.  All of our other servers are currently in data-centers that are in the process of rolling out IPv6 support and we currently estimate that all servers will be IPv6-ready by the end of this year.  And as each server gains IPv6 support, the appropriate AAAA (IPv6) DNS record will be added to the IRC.WyldRyde.org round-robin, in addition to our IPv6-only IPv6.WyldRyde.org round-robin.

Those currently on IPv6 connections are more than welcome to connect via the new protocol.  Of course, we’re not phasing out IPv4 support anytime soon as it’s still a standard on the Internet.

Filed Under: WyldRyde Network News