Internet of Things and IPv4

Back in the 80s, the internet was finally available for some people to use. It’s a very monumental part of our history as we use the internet for quite literally every single thing. Before the internet was available, our computers did not have the means to communicate with each other. But when the internet finally became available, two communications protocols were founded. The names of these protocols are Transmissions Control Protocol, also known as TCP, and Internet Protocol version 4 also known as IPv4. These protocols are what allow our computers to communicate with each other, we use IPv4 more commonly.

Not long after this event, different objects were also getting the ability to communicate with each other with IPv4. These objects have sensors and software to have the ability to process and more. These kinds of objects are known as the Internet of Things, or IoT.

Cases of IoT

The earliest case of an object having the ability to communicate using a network was in the year 1982. There was a Coca-Cola vending machine that got modified. It became the first appliance to be connected to the ARPANET. Before the internet, the ARPANET was the first network to have implemented the IP protocol. 

Nowadays, the world is filled with objects that are now the Internet of Things. There are many kinds of lamps that can be turned on and off using your phone, there are watches that can connect to your phone and computer, smart toilets that have many different uses other than flushing, and even cars that don’t rely on gasoline and can be self-driving. 

Internet Protocol version 4

IPv4 was created in 1980 but was not formally distributed to the public until 1983. Everything that needs to connect to the internet to communicate or function needs an IPv4 address. When it first became available, there were 4 billion IPv4 addresses distributed to the public for free. Back in the 80s, 4 billion was quite a lot. However, now our population has grown massively and so have the devices belonging to the Internet of Things. After a few short decades, the amount of IPv4 addresses has dissipated. Many believe that the Internet of Things played a massive role in the depletion of IPv4, and it’s not far-fetched to think so. No one would have thought in the 80s that cellular devices and lamps and toilets will need to communicate. But they do, and to do so they all need IPv4 addresses.

Market for IPv4

The depletion of IPv4 addresses has come at a terrible time. The internet and technology are booming in our world, and companies are needing IPv4 addresses more than ever. This is why markets now exist in order to buy and sell IPv4 addresses so this can be possible. The IoT isn’t the only reason why there are no more IPv4s readily available, but it definitely played a big role.