Published November 9, 2012
By Diana Tuorto, dianatuo@buffalo.edu
Could the Internet run out of space? UB, along with the
rest of the world, is quickly running out of IPv4 (Internet
Protocol version 4) IP addresses, which enables computers and
mobile phones to connect to the Internet. Current projections are
that half of the world’s unallocated IPv4 addresses will be
used by mid-2013, with the remainder taken up within a year.
Comment(?)
But don’t panic. UB, along with the rest of the world, is
taking steps to introduce IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), which
will replace the current IPv4. Developed by the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF), IPv6 implements a new IP address
system, which allows a much larger pool of addresses to be
assigned. However, IPv4 and IPv6 are not compatible, so careful
planning needs to happen before making the switch.
“We are strategically considering the placement of this effort in our project queue,” said Mark Deuell, Director of Network & Classroom Services. “The IPv6 implementation project will require a significant investment of staff time and we have a number of other competing priorities. We hope to balance our approach so that we maximize the benefits to the university with the available resources and make the transition just ahead of demand.”
Look for more details on UB’s transition to IPv6 in future UBIT newsletters.
VITEC Solutions services both personal and department-owned computers and iProduct devices; visit their drop-off depot in the Lockwood 2nd Floor Cybrary or call 800-333-1075. You can also request office pick-up for UB-owned equipment. Track your repair status.
UB’s top-level website, Buffalo.edu, was recently given the gold award in the 2012 Circle of Excellence competition sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. CIT was a key partner in the development of the underlying CMS system.
Computing and Information Technology at UB is more than 40 years
old. Here’s a look back at the Interface
newsletter from June 1970. (Please note: this PDF file includes
perturbations natural to the duplication process at the
time.)
