Slow Internet connection frustrated users on Tuesday, but the slowdown wasn't caused by cable problems or data center issues.
Researchers reported that the slow Internet speeds were caused by problems in the structure of one of the core technologies of the Internet.
The technology in question is the Border Gate Protocol routing, which is responsible for bridging smaller, interconnected works so that data traffic can travel all over the world.
"It's kind of like the telephone directory for every Internet Service Provider, showing how it sends traffic to every other part of the Internet," said Renesys senior analyst Doug Madory. "We have a vast, global Internet here, and it can be described in about 500,000 lines, which is kind of amazing."
Renesys released a report on the possible Internet outages that could happen next week, as the number of IPv4 networks in the world reached the number 512K, equivalent to 524,288 or 2 to the 19th power.
This number is the maximum number of routes that is supported by the default TCAM configuration on several older hardware platforms.
Renesys analyst Jim Cowie, however, is quick to point out that the situation is "more of an annoyance than a real Internet-wide threat," as local connectivity problems can be quickly fixed by Internet service providers through upgrades.
The problem, Cowie adds, stems from the growth of the Internet, which just keeps on expanding. Shortages in the space within IPv4 networks continue as new systems from bodies such as companies, schools and network providers connect to them.
However, the shortage of IPv4 space may actually be increasing the growth of the Internet, as companies and service providers pull out all the tricks to be able to operate within the diminishing space within IPv4 networks.
As the first providers traverse the 512K mark for routes, there seems to be no serious signs of higher instability on the Internet. Users who are using affected equipment, either by themselves or by Internet providers, may have noticed early signs of the problem.
As the routing table size continues to increase and maintains a number above 512K, more and more vulnerable gear will be exposed, which will be upgraded and fixed over time.
However, with the massive growth of the Internet, it might not be too long before the number of routes reaches the 1024K mark, or 2 to the 20th power.
Cowie suggests that users and providers can reclaim more TCAM for the IPv4 networks by giving up support for the IPv6, which is the next-generation version of the IPv4 that has not been widely adopted yet.
