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The internet can only continue to function "indefinitely" as you so put it unless there are no further end points created or demand comes to a grinding halt by

The internet can only continue to function "indefinitely" as you so put it unless there are no further end points created or demand comes to a grinding halt by users, servers, anything with a public facing IP address. However, that's not the case and many new devices are requiring public facing addresses, and RIR's typically do not give out new blocks until ~3/4 or more (ARIN requires 80%) of the last block they were given is fully utilised. Now for ISP's issuing dynamic assignment to customers that may only happen during peak periods - but if they don't have addresses to give, they along with everyone else that requires public facing IP addresses have two options: more NAT, or IPv6. Quite frankly the idea of being inside an ISP size NAT like many mobile broadband users are on my home DSL connection is quite an unappealing idea. There are many problems of deploying v6, nobody is saying it'll be a walk in the park, but end devices (like my €100 Nokia dumb phone and my desktop) support it + can also support transitional methods like 6to4, Teredo etc. Tier 1 providers like NTT have been offering it for years - the problem is now the bit in between the end user and tier 1. I think DSL providers with ancient, non-software upgradable DSLAMs (I'm looking at you Ericsson), and the hundreds of millions of home routers out there doing nothing but IPv4 NAT are the bigger challenge than a few bits of code parsing a longer address.

pyre 16y ago
I think that getting home users to upgrade their home routers is easier than getting all of the various software packages out there upgraded to work with IPv6. Getting ISPs to upgrade expensive hardware is another issue...
- iloveponies 16y ago
  Which software packages are you talking about, specifically? I seldom encounter libraries or packages that entirely do not support IPv6 (except for MySQL). At the very most it's a configuration flag or compile option to switch it on, if it's not on by default. I'm also curious as to how easy you'll find these homes with a myriad of routers either ISP supplied or third party, and the case you have to convince them that the little box they had needs to be upgraded with firmware or replaced entirely. The other thing to note is that IPv4 won't just be left in the dust, it'll have to be transitioned - the immediate future at least won't be entirely IPv6, and the world will have a bit of time where dual stack is inevitable for parts.
  - pyre 16y ago
    If cable-companies can figure-out how to transition users from their analog cable boxes to the digital ones, I'm sure ISPs can figure out how to transition their customers to IPv6-capable routers. It should be dead-simple for the ISP-leased routers, but for people with their own routers, it's still an ISP-level issue. They just need to tell their new customers that they need an IPv6 capable router, and to figure out a way to transition existing customers that own their routers.
    - ams6110 16y ago
      My cable company lost my business when they last year began requiring a "box" to receive TV. I already had a newer digital-capable TV, and did not want yet another gadget and tangle of wires on my TV stand. It was the final straw, the other two being the cost and the low-value content. I actually didn't drop them completely, but did fall back to "basic" (no box required) + internet (cheaper than internet alone, which is what I really wanted).

pyre 16y ago

I think that getting home users to upgrade their home routers is easier than getting all of the various software packages out there upgraded to work with IPv6. Getting ISPs to upgrade expensive hardware is another issue...

iloveponies 16y ago
Which software packages are you talking about, specifically? I seldom encounter libraries or packages that entirely do not support IPv6 (except for MySQL). At the very most it's a configuration flag or compile option to switch it on, if it's not on by default. I'm also curious as to how easy you'll find these homes with a myriad of routers either ISP supplied or third party, and the case you have to convince them that the little box they had needs to be upgraded with firmware or replaced entirely. The other thing to note is that IPv4 won't just be left in the dust, it'll have to be transitioned - the immediate future at least won't be entirely IPv6, and the world will have a bit of time where dual stack is inevitable for parts.
- pyre 16y ago
  If cable-companies can figure-out how to transition users from their analog cable boxes to the digital ones, I'm sure ISPs can figure out how to transition their customers to IPv6-capable routers. It should be dead-simple for the ISP-leased routers, but for people with their own routers, it's still an ISP-level issue. They just need to tell their new customers that they need an IPv6 capable router, and to figure out a way to transition existing customers that own their routers.
  - ams6110 16y ago
    My cable company lost my business when they last year began requiring a "box" to receive TV. I already had a newer digital-capable TV, and did not want yet another gadget and tangle of wires on my TV stand. It was the final straw, the other two being the cost and the low-value content. I actually didn't drop them completely, but did fall back to "basic" (no box required) + internet (cheaper than internet alone, which is what I really wanted).