The IPv6 Deployment worldwide is becoming a reality now with some countries achieving more than 60% user penetration with France (75%), Belgium (65%), USA (50%) and India (68%) at the top ranking (http://6lab.cisco.com/stats/) and reaching double digits v6 coverage on Google IPv6 stats. May Autonomous Networks (ASN) reach more than 90% with v6 preferred or v6 capable:

(http://labs.apnic.net/ipv6-measurement/Economies/US/). Over 2.5 Billion users are accessing Internet over IPv6 and probably not even knowing it. If this trend continues, we should achieve 90% by 2025 which would be the inflection point when the full roll-out of IPv6 becomes a strategic plumbing decision of the networks to move to IPv6-Only and start sunsetting IPv4 from the Internet. The US Government has already set some dates to move to IPv6-Only by 2025.

New topics are more on the lime light such as 5G/6G, Web3, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, AI, Blockchain. However, these fields are taking IP networking for granted designing them on IPv4/NAT building non-scalable and non-end to end solutions:

Web3: Web3, also known as the decentralized web, is an evolving concept that aims to reshape the internet by incorporating decentralized technologies, such as blockchain and peer-to-peer networks. Unlike the traditional web (Web2), Web3 focuses on giving users more control over their data, eliminating intermediaries, and enabling direct peer-to-peer interactions. It empowers individuals and promotes a more open and transparent online ecosystem.

IPv6 based 5G/6G: By leveraging IPv6, these next-generation networks enable faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity to support the growing number of connected devices and emerging technologies.

Cloud Computing: IPv6-based cloud computing offers a larger address space, enables direct communication between cloud resources, simplifies auto-configuration, enhances security, promotes interoperability, and provides future-proofing capabilities. By leveraging IPv6, organizations can build scalable and secure cloud infrastructures that meet the growing demands of modern applications and services in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Internet of Things (IoT): IPv6 is essential for the expansion of IoT by offering a larger address space, scalability, simplified configuration, enhanced security, improved QoS, and future-proofing. Its adoption and integration with IoT networks enable the seamless connection, communication, and management of a massive number of IoT devices, facilitating the growth and potential of the IoT ecosystem.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): the direct relationship between AI and IPv6 is primarily related to networking and infrastructure considerations. AI itself focuses on the development of algorithms, models, and techniques to process data and perform intelligent tasks. However, the adoption of IPv6 can provide the necessary foundation and scalability to support the growth and integration of AI technologies within the broader digital ecosystem.

Blockchain: By incorporating IPv6 addresses into a blockchain network, several advantages can be achieved: Enhanced scalability: IPv6 provides a significantly larger address space compared to IPv4, allowing for a higher number of nodes in the network. This scalability can facilitate the growth and expansion of the blockchain network. Improved connectivity: IPv6 offers better connectivity options, especially for devices that are part of the Internet of Things (IoT). With the increasing number of IoT devices expected to connect to blockchain networks, IPv6 can ensure seamless communication and integration. Address exhaustion prevention: IPv4 addresses have been running out due to the explosive growth of the internet. IPv6, with its vast address space, helps mitigate the issue of address exhaustion, ensuring that the blockchain network can continue to operate without running out of unique IP addresses. Simplified network configuration: IPv6 simplifies network configuration processes by eliminating the need for techniques like Network Address Translation (NAT). This simplification can contribute to easier deployment and management of blockchain nodes.

The IPv6 Forum is driving new initiatives to garner support and create awareness in these areas: www.ipv6forum.org.