The Internet Society (ISOC) has named 8 June 2011 as IPv6 Day to motivate organisations to prepare for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) as the stock of the popular IPv4 addresses is running out.
Top Web companies such as Google, Facebook, Yahoo and Akamai are among some of the major organisations that are offering their content over IPv6 for the 24-hour "test flight".
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the conventional IPv4 addresses were fast running out of stock. It is estimated that the last IPv4 numbers will be used up in September this year.
However, the adoption of the decade-old IPv6, with 4 billion times as many addresses, has been slow.
The ISOC, which is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1992, has embarked on the "test flight" to both create awareness and test for possible glitches.
It says on its website, "The goal of the Test Flight Day is to motivate organisations across the industry – Internet service providers, hardware makers, operating system vendors and web companies – to prepare their services for IPv6 to ensure a successful transition as IPv4 addresses run out."
"Please join us for this test drive and help accelerate the momentum of IPv6 deployment."
One can join the test to check one’s connection online. The test shows possible problems and the readiness of the network on a count of 1 to 10.
Experts say that to transit to the new IP addresses, companies and home users may need new networking equipment.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has said that it aims to be IPv6 ready by the end of 2012.
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim said, "For Malaysia to remain competitive, it is essential that we are IPv6 ready as soon as possible."
"With a 75 per cent broadband penetration targeted for 2015, it is also important for us to address the issue of IPv4 exhaustion, in order to maintain the seamlessness of the Internet experience in Malaysia.
"It is crucial to ensure there is minimal disruption to Internet users whilst the nation is migrating to IPv6," he said.
