An IPv4 transfer refers to the process of reassigning the ownership of an IPv4 address block from one party to another. This can occur in various contexts, such as when a company that owns a block of IPv4 addresses sells or transfers them to another entity due to restructuring, downsizing, or for financial reasons. Given the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, which is a finite resource with approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses, the transfer of these addresses has become more common as organizations seek to acquire or release IPv4 address space.
IPv4 transfers typically involve several steps and requirements, including a contract between the seller and buyer, a transfer agreement, and company registration documents or identification. For larger subnets, additional documentation such as a decision of the company’s board may be required. The transfer must also adhere to the policies and procedures set by the relevant Internet Registry, such as RIPE NCC or APNIC, which manage the allocation and registration of IP addresses in their respective regions.
The transfer of IPv4 addresses is seen as a temporary measure to alleviate the shortage of available IPv4 addresses and is part of the broader context of the internet’s transition to IPv6, which provides a much larger address space due to its 128-bit address length. IPv6 was introduced to address the limitations posed by IPv4, including the limited number of available IP addresses.
IPv4 address transfers can also have implications for the deployment of IPv6. While transfers may reduce the urgency for some parties to adopt IPv6, they can also help improve the distribution of motivation towards IPv6 adoption in the longer term. However, the supply of IPv4 addresses available for transfer is limited, and the transition to IPv6 is necessary for the continued growth and evolution of the internet.