NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — One of the crucial mechanisms powering the Internet got a giant, years-in-the-making overhaul on Wednesday.

When we say “giant,” we’re not kidding. Silly-sounding huge number alert: The Internet’s address book grew from “just” 4.3 billion unique addresses to 340 undecillion (that’s 340 trillion trillion trillion). That’s a growth factor of 79 octillion (billion billion billion).

If it all goes right, you won’t notice a thing. And that’s the point. The Internet is running out of addresses, and if nothing were done, you certainly would notice. New devices simply wouldn’t be able to connect………(read the whole story)