If you want your company to have an established presence online, you will need access to the IPv4 addresses required to successfully create a network within your company. With so many companies battling for online space, only a limited number of unallocated IPv4 addresses are still in existence.

Purchasing existing IPv4 space can be challenging, but here are three tips you can use to ensure you are able to access the addresses your company needs for online success.

1. Purchase addresses from a company switching to IPv6.

Recognizing the inevitable exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, developers began creating the next version of the IP address. These new addresses, which are known collectively as IPv6 addresses, will eventually replace IPv4 addresses as technology advances.

Full replacement isn't expected to happen immediately, but companies wanting to get ahead of the curve may be switching to IPv6 addresses in the near future. You can purchase the IPv4 addresses from these companies at a discounted rate in order to access the IP space your company needs to get established online.

2. Rely on the help of an APNIC registered broker.

If you are having difficulty locating a company willing to sell its IPv4 addresses, it may be beneficial to work with a broker to access the IP space your company needs. Brokers serve as the middle-man between companies looking to sell their excess IPv4 addresses and companies in the market to buy.

APNIC maintains a list of registered brokers that have agreed to abide by certain rules and regulations when it comes to the transfer of IPv4 ownership rights. These rules include complying with applicable laws and ensuring that the registration rights are transferred according to APNIC's strict guidelines.

3. Complete APNIC's pre-approval process before trying to purchase.

In order to ensure that IPv4 addresses are being used properly, APNIC regulates the transfer of ownership. If you want to ensure that your company meets the standards set forth by APNIC for successful transfer before investing in the purchase of IPv4 addresses on the secondary market, it can be beneficial to complete the pre-approval process.

Once you have been pre-approved, you have up to 24 months to complete your purchase without needing to apply for approval through APNIC again.

Successfully purchasing IPv4 addresses can help your company become more competitive in the online market. Be sure that you take the time to become familiar with the purchasing process to avoid potential problems with the transfer of ownership once your purchase is complete.