World IPv6 Day kicks off

Internet giants test their connectivity for 24 hours

Some of the world's largest internet companies will be offering their content over IPv6 today in a pre-emptive test for the eventual changeover from IPv4.

The likes of Google, Facebook and Yahoo! will all be making the switch for the next 24 hours, and it is hoped the trial will motivate other companies to prepare for the eventual shift.

In February this year, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority dished out the last remaining pool of IPv4 addresses and, as a result, those left without will have to assign the newer IPv6 range to devices in order for them to connect to the internet.

The IPv6 range has been designed so as to support a significantly larger pool of addresses.

Computing.co.uk will provide updates on how those trialling the new addresses are performing throughout the day.