A new IPv8 protocol is proposed, compatible with traditional IPv4

Brief about the IPv8 project

Network architect James Thain proposed a new protocol – IPv8, which does not replace IPv6 but extends familiar IPv4 while maintaining backward compatibility. The goal of the project is to raise funds for creating a testbed and demonstrate the viability of the idea.

What’s new in IPv8?
Item Description
ASN extension Each network operator is assigned a unique 32‑bit Autonomous System Number (ASN).
Address format `r.r.r.r.n.n.n.n` – the first four blocks (`r`) represent the ASN, and the remaining four are a regular IPv4 address.
Number of addresses A total of 2³² (≈ 4 294 967 269) unique addresses is allocated per operator. Large companies may receive multiple blocks. The overall space in this scheme expands IPv4 to roughly 30 trillion (3 × 10¹³) addresses – less than IPv6, but without the need to migrate from IPv4.

How the transition from IPv4 to IPv8 works
* An address with a zero routing prefix is automatically converted into a standard IPv4 address.
* Migration requires only servers that process “region codes” – the rest of the network stack remains unchanged.

Service support
IPv8 provides equivalents for familiar protocols:

What needs to be assembled
Thain plans to raise $100 000 to:

1. Develop open-source software.
2. Build research and test infrastructure.
3. Prepare demo versions and full documentation.

These resources will demonstrate that IPv8 truly works and can become a reliable extension of the existing IPv4 network.