Let's face it - we've all heard so much about IPv6 over the years. It's meant to replace IPv4 and solve limited IP addresses, but in 2025, it still isn't everywhere. So, what is stopping it? Let's keep this simple, like we're just hanging out, and you're asking what's up with tech.
Most (if not most) hosting companies are still using IPv4 systems set up years ago. Migrating everything over takes time, money, and effort. And let's face it, if things are working on IPv4, would you willingly create a risk of breaking everything over a newer format? Probably not.
This exact thought is prevalent with many hosting providers - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
In order for a transition from IPv4 to IPv6, it will require companies to:
Some providers operate a dual-stack architecture where both IPv4 and IPv6 run this way. But this makes matters a little more complicated and costly.
Hosting providers typically seek to minimize change. A change in hosting environments could lead to downtime during the transition and very frustrated customers. While the transition may be simple when the administration has experience with the technology, hosting providers would prefer to wait until the execution is safe and easy.
Some customers still specifically request IPv4-only hosting based on the concern associated with the compatibility of the technology, which has produced lower demand specifically for IPv6 and provides incentive for a hosting provider to wait for more demand when the associated customer change occurs.
For now, IPv6 is prepared for exchange — the change is dependent on the user acceptance, and customer support of the change.
The next time someone asks the question, "Why are we still using IPv4 hosting?" The answer is simple: it relates to scalable cost and premature comfort with the existing hosting, not the technology.
IPv6 Is Good - But Why Isn’t Everyone utilizing It?
IPv6 is better than IPv4, and is a better system. It has vasts numbers of IP addresses, so basically we shouldn't run out again. But, migrating clients over is not an easy task.Most (if not most) hosting companies are still using IPv4 systems set up years ago. Migrating everything over takes time, money, and effort. And let's face it, if things are working on IPv4, would you willingly create a risk of breaking everything over a newer format? Probably not.
This exact thought is prevalent with many hosting providers - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
The Cost Problem
This is primarily a money problem.In order for a transition from IPv4 to IPv6, it will require companies to:
- Upgrade hardware devices such as routers and switches.
- Update soft and hosting panels.
- Provide training for people managing IPv6 correctly.
Some providers operate a dual-stack architecture where both IPv4 and IPv6 run this way. But this makes matters a little more complicated and costly.
Compatibility Issues
The other issue is that there is no compatibility between IPv6 and some applications. Some older applications have a tendency to crash when they're run on IPv6-enabled machines.Hosting providers typically seek to minimize change. A change in hosting environments could lead to downtime during the transition and very frustrated customers. While the transition may be simple when the administration has experience with the technology, hosting providers would prefer to wait until the execution is safe and easy.
People Hate Change
Many system administrators are just comfortable with the existing technology with which they are familiar — IPv4. It is easy to work with and recognize within the network framework, which requires a deeper knowledge of commands they'd rather not have to learn.Some customers still specifically request IPv4-only hosting based on the concern associated with the compatibility of the technology, which has produced lower demand specifically for IPv6 and provides incentive for a hosting provider to wait for more demand when the associated customer change occurs.
What Is The Future?
IPv6 is the future of the internet. Companies such as Google, Cloudflare, and AWS are already utilizing it extensively. As the infusion of IPv4 address space continues to be used, and newer technologies require IPv6, we will see a broader willingness among b to implement the technology in their environments.For now, IPv6 is prepared for exchange — the change is dependent on the user acceptance, and customer support of the change.
The next time someone asks the question, "Why are we still using IPv4 hosting?" The answer is simple: it relates to scalable cost and premature comfort with the existing hosting, not the technology.