"the end of ipv4 lifetime as we know it"

a glimpse of the discussion from the early 1990s; need, philosophy and transition:

The current likely candidates for selection are: - PIP ('P' Internet Protocol - an entirely new protocol). - TUBA (TCP/UDP with Big Addresses - uses ISO CLNP). - SIP (Simple IP - IP with larger addresses and fewer options). There is a further proposal from Robert Ullman | a comparison of proposals for next version ip, rfc 1454, 1993, reprint of rare technical report RTC(93)004