So, the Internet is running low on property.  Did you hear? The last batch of IP addresses has been handed out by the IANA, and the web’s in a tizzy, wondering at what will happen next.  As we mentioned earlier this week, IP v6 is coming to the rescue, with far, far, far more IP addresses to assign than you could possibly imagine.  Seriously.  Even our own Kit Dotson had to look up a new giant-number word to describe the massive number of IP addresses being made available with this updated version.

While this solves part of the problem, the next issue is implementing all these new IP addresses seamlessly, without disturbing web traffic, speed, or the end user experience.  As Kit mentioned, this will include a focus on new devices, a lot of cooperation amongst service providers and the device makers, and a widespread adoption of the technology needed to execute such a far-reaching update to the web.

Merely making the decision to support these necessary changes was the first step for Citrix, which is integrally involved in this upcoming shift.  Serving nearly 75% of websites accessed by end-users, Citrix has a responsibility to ensure a safe conversion to the new technology.

This was the first challenge for Citrix to overcome, “working with customers on collective deadlines to support the new addressing scheme,” Greg Smith, Senior Director, cloud and networking product group at Citrix tells me during a brief interview.  “it was a straightforward decision for us, and next up is perfecting the technology to do this, being able to maintain the fast speeds of the internet….when the world flips that switch, we’re going to be ready.”

That switch flip goes down on June 8, so the time is certainly drawing near.  It even sounded like cause for a party to me—at least a beer or two.  But Smith laughs off that suggestion, saying, “it should be an uneventful day.”  He did, however, add that a beer might be in order once the switch is complete.

So what’s the next big challenge for Citrix?  “The shift to cloud computing,”  Smith goes on.  “As organizations of all sizes look to how they can best deliver websites and applications, companies are looking for the best solutions.  They can run their own IT solutions, or take to the cloud.  This is a big endeavor Citrix is working on, for IT in general.  We’re investing aggressively to make sure all our products and solutions work well for both ends.”

It’s a trend that’s extended to the mobile realm, as Appcellrator pointed out in their latest report, done in partnership with IDC Research.  The move towards IT outsourcing is witnessing a steadily rising adoption rate, essentially outlining a plan for application developers to follow as they incorporate more and more cloud services into their long-term business plans.

This gives a big nod to the hybrid cloud, which has become a vital part of the major players’ strategy for current and future products.  Citrix is anxiously preparing for growth in this arena as well, developing a strategy around these cloud developments.  “It’s an economic consideration,” Smith explains, “and it has to be very flexible as well.  People understand the promise of cloud computing.  We’re now at the stage where we’re wondering ‘how do we do it?’ Citrix is looking to offer solutions in a piece-meal approach, gradually moving…to the cloud with a phased approach.”