An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a string of numbers that is used to uniquely identify a device on the Internet or a private network. IPv4 addresses look like this: 192.168.100.255. IPv6 addresses look like this: 2001:DB8:7654:3210:FEDC:BA98:7654:3210. IPv6 is an upgraded replacement for IPv4. IPv4 is not compatible with IPv6, which means that devices configured only with IPv4 addresses cannot communicate with devices only configured with IPv6 addresses.

NSF is transitioning the USAP network from Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), with completion anticipated by September 30, 2025. After this point, your research systems or related devices that use only IPv4 may not be able to connect to the USAP network. This change is being made to comply with direction in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum 21-07, Completing the Transition to Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). To help us understand the potential impact on USAP participants relying on the USAP network, please identify the IP version you are currently running on any research devices you intend to connect, or already have connected, to the USAP network. Your choices are: IPv4 only; IPv4/IPv6 dual use; IPv6 only. Please identify your plans to convert from using IPv4 to IPv6 for research systems connected to the USAP network. Please reach out to your USAP Science Planner or the ASC IT team for details. Please make the people on your team aware of the IPv6 requirement so they can know how it affects their use of personal devices while deployed. At some point their personal device may no longer be able to use the USAP network if it does not use IPv6. The Federal Communications Commission has published a Consumer Guide for IPv6 that may be useful.