Enjoy IPv4 While It Lasts
The Internet has run out of IP addresses… sort of. Perhaps you have heard the news – the last blocks of IPv4 Internet addresses have been allocated.
A new technology will take its place, though. The IPv4 successor is IPv6, a system that will not only offer far more numerical addresses but will simplify address assignments and additional network security features.
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is likely to be rough, though… (And it has already started.)
What’s an IPv4?
IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the underlying technology that makes it possible for us to connect our devices to the web.
Whenever a device access the Internet (whether it is a PC, Mac, smartphone or other device), it is assigned a unique, numerical IP address such as:
To send data from one computer to another through the web, a data packet must be transferred across the network containing the IP addresses of both devices.
Without IP addresses, computers would not be able to communicate and send data to each other. It’s essential to the infrastructure of the web.
While the hype is on of IPv4 depletion, we still have them and use them daily, but in fact, during four decades of IPv4, do you know how can you utilize them?
Permanent IP address
Behind every domain name, there is an IP address that acts as the real address. Domain names came into existence to be used as shortcuts for their complicated IP address counterparts.
Instead of having to remember a long string of numbers such as 192.168.0.1, web users can use a simple domain name like www.example.com.
There are many reasons why you may need a permanent IP. Some of them are:
SSL Certificates & security – if you have an online store and you allow customers make purchases using their credit cards, you have to install an SSL certificate. You need to have a permanent IP if you were to get a security certificate.
Protection from other site activities – having a permanent IP means not sharing the server with other accounts (websites). Therefore, you do not have to worry about other websites running unscrupulous scripts and putting the entire server at risk.
To boost your SEO – Google gives more importance to websites with permanent IP addresses. Especially, compared to shared IP, your permanent IP is more likely to achieve better PageRank.
Extending hosting functionality – there are many functions that can be enabled only on permanent IP and not on shared IP, such as Anonymous FTP which allows you to use FTP programs for accessing files from your site.
Business identity – permanent IP also helps build your customers’ and prospects’ confidence in your business.
Among all other benefits, the most important is that permanent IPs helps provide more stability.
The problem with shared IP lies in their very concept – sharing a single IP address on the web for different websites has its own set of stability and security issues. If any of the other websites on the same address are blacklisted for spamming activity, it will have a direct impact on your own website.
On the other hand, having a permanent address means that the activities of other sites are not going to affect your online presence or reputation.
Another advantage is that it helps reduce the downtime. IP addresses are constantly refreshing, and whenever this happens there is a very good chance of downtime from the server.
If you have mission critical services, you cannot afford to have downtime on your site. However, this can be eliminated if you have a permanent IP address.
Geolocation, or Geo-IP-location, is a technology that literally gives you the geographical location of an IP address. The “internet” isn’t static, so the accuracy of your (geological) information depends on the Geo-IP database you use.
Why would you use it?
By mapping the sources of your security events you can get more insight into where a threat is coming from.
This is useful during, say, a DDoS attack. If you notice the bulk of the traffic is coming from one specific geographical region, you could temporarily put network ACLs that block that traffic.
Country-based filtering isn’t a good idea on a permanent basis, but it can help (temporarily) survive a DDoS attack sourced from one particular region.
What its like to have your own VPN?
In case you need a secure connection to the internet or a way to send encrypted data over a network, VPN technology is just the right spot for you! Take a look at these examples:
- Enhanced security. When you connect to the network through a VPN, the data is kept secured and encrypted. In this way the information is away from hackers’ eyes.
- Remote control. In case of a company, the great advantage of having a VPN is that the information can be accessed remotely even from home or from any other place. That’s why a VPN can increase productivity within a company.
- Share files. A VPN service can be used if you have a group that needs to share files for a long period of time.
- Online anonymity. Through a VPN you can browse the web in complete anonymity. Compared to hide IP software or web proxies, the advantage of a VPN service is that it allows you to access both web applications and websites anonymously.
- Unblock websites & bypass filters. VPNs are great for accessing blocked websites or for bypassing Internet filters. This is why there is an increased number of VPN services used in countries where Internet censorship is applied.
- Change IP address. If you need an IP address from another country, then a VPN could be a solution.
While this overview gives you the insights of IPv4 capabilities, they are not limited to just those listed above. Think of what you need while you are online and most likely, there will be a solution already for you to use!