How am I still able to order new IPv4 addresses despite run out?

Question

I have heard for years now that IPv4 address exhaustion is a huge problem. Lots of warning have been issued before it did ran out, and now that is has, nothing seems to have changed from a end-user perspective. I just purchased a new server at OVH and it came with an unused IPv4 address. I am still using IPv4 in my everyday website developer life.I know that ISP have pools of unused addresses and that they recycle old ones, but it seems to me that IP demand should be exponential, but yet it looks like they still have plenty.So is this a "Year 2000 problem" type situation, where thanks to warnings, people worked hard to increase somehow IPv4 lifespan so it's not really a problem anymore? Or is it still a big upcoming problem, and I won't be able to order in the future new servers with new IPv4 addresses like I just did? And when will that situation happen approx.? Thanks

sovok_x · Accepted Answer

I believe problems of IPv4 are related more to IoT than end-users currently. There is not much urgency for humans to switch within ~3.7 billions of IPv4 addresses unless all of humanity will suddenly decide to own a web-site with unique IP or a dedicated IP from their ISP.
But there is an enormous number of devices being connected. This also brings the more important aspects of IPv6 to the front: its increased security, extensibility and performance. IPv4 is very old and wasn't designed for the modern world, it uses crutches to adapt.
So the answer to your question "when will its lifespan end" depends on how fast will new IoT-devices saturate the market. It can be a few decades or a few years, only prophets know. Overall it's not a fast process but it's better be ready for the transition than not.

HoppyHaus · Answer

We are effectively out of free, unallocated IPv4 addresses. All of them are owned by a non-regulatory authority. If any of those entities want to sell some of their IPs, or their block, they are free to do so, and it happens all the time. But if you wanted to go to ARIN and ask for an IP or a block, you are out of luck.