What is IPv6 and does my business need it?

IPv6 is the current generation of internet addressing, brought in because IPv4 addresses ran out. For a small business it is rarely urgent:

• Your visitors already reach you either way - the networks in between handle the translation.
• Adoption is patchy - 21% of Australian small business domains answer on IPv6 at the root^*.
• It is usually your host’s decision - most small businesses inherit it rather than configure it.
• Half-enabled is the risk - an IPv6 address that answers but was never included in your firewall rules or your SPF record.

Do not chase it. Do check that anything answering on IPv6 is covered by the same rules as the IPv4 address.