Expansion of the internet protocol address space with "minor" disruption of current hardware or software

Abstract

Currently, the Internet suite of protocols uses a 32 bit network layer address and requires that each machine have a unique address. The problem: 32 bits only distinguishes 2 32 or 4,294,967,296 machines. Even with four billion addresses, experts predict running out of addresses within a few years. There are several ways to solve this problem. The two most obvious ones are either to split the current Internet, or switch to a different addressing method. Splitting the Internet means the parts cannot directly talk to each other. Another addressing method means rewriting current software on 4,294,967,296 machines, some of whose manufacturers are now out-of-business or unable/unwilling to rewrite, especially for free, their networking software. It is therefore essential to have an intermediary protocol that works without modifying current machines, and allows an arbitrary address length. This protocol would allow the current Internet machines to talk to machines using another, longer, method of addressing. This paper describes a protocol that increases the number of addresses without disrupting lnternet's current addressing system