• Tech
  • News
  • Health

IPv4 vs IPv6: Everything You Need to Know

17.1KShares
357KViews

IPv4 vs IPv6: You must probably have heard of IP address maybe in a sci-fi movie at least. An IP (Internet Protocol) address is the numerical tag that is assigned to every device. The device must be one that can use the IP to communicate. The IP address represents your device for a specific network. It is sometimes referred to IP number or Internet address. This article compares two kinds of IP addresses IPv4 vs IPv6, and also talks about their definitions, their benefits and their differences.

IP address specifies the technical format of the addressing and packets scheme. Most networks combine IP with a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). It also allows developing a virtual connection between a destination and a source.

IPv4 vs IPv6: Key Difference

The IPv4

IPv4 is short for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the intangible technology that makes it possible for us to connect our devices to the web. Whenever you log on to the Internet with your device, it is assigned a unique, numerical IP address such as 99.48.227.227. To send data from one computer to another through the web, a data packet must be transferred across the network containing the IP addresses of both devices.

COPYRIGHT_NOVA: Published on https://www.novabach.com/i/ipv4-vs-ipv6-everything-you-need-to-know/ by Daniel Barrett on 2022-07-15T18:31:35.000Z

Don’t miss: How to Fix “Failed To Obtain IP Address” Errors on Android

Features of the IPv4

Below are the features of IPv4:

  • No true connection protocols.
  • Ability to establish a simple communication layer over different devices.
  • It doesn’t require much memory.
  • It possesses quick access to addresses.
  • Packaged video libraries and conferences.
  • It is supported by millions of devices if not all.

The IPv6

IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol. This new IP address version is being released to accomplish the need for more Internet addresses. It was developed to resolve issues that are associated with IPv4. With 128-bit address space, it allows 340 undecillion unique address space. IPv6 is also called IPng (Internet Protocol next generation).

Internet Engineer Taskforce initiated it in early 1994. The design and development of that suite are now called IPv6.

Features of IPv6

Below are the features of IPv6:

  • Ordered addressing and routing model
  • Stateful and Stateless configuration
  • Compatible with quality of service (QoS)
  • An ideal protocol for neighboring node interaction

Major Benefits of IPv6

  • Disbanded NAT (Network Address Translation)
  • Auto-configuration
  • Disbanded private address collisions
  • An improved multicast routing
  • Easier header format
  • Simplified, more efficient routing
  • True quality of service (QoS), also called “flow labeling”
  • Built-in authentication and privacy support
  • Easily changeable options and extensions
  • Easier administration (no more DHCP)

IPv4 Vs IPv6: Major Disparities

Having stated their abilities, here are the significant differences between IPv4 and IPv6:

  • The IPv4 is a 32-Bit IP address while IPv6 is a 128-Bit IP address.
  • IPv4 implements a numeric addressing method while IPv6 uses an alphanumeric addressing method.
  • IPv4 binary bits are separated by a dot(.) while IPv6 binary bits are separated by a colon(:).
  • The IPv4 offers 12 header fields while IPv6 offers 8 header fields.
  • There is a support for broadcast in the IPv4 while IPv6 doesn’t support broadcast.
  • There is the presence of checksum fields in IPv4 while IPv6 doesn’t have checksum fields
  • When we compare IPv4 and IPv6, IPv4 supports VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Mask) whereas IPv6 doesn’t support VLSM.
  • IPv4 uses ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) to map to MAC address whereas IPv6 uses NDP (Neighbour Discovery Protocol) to map to MAC address.

Bottom Line

The IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the sixth revision to the Internet Protocol and is to take over from the IPv4. It functions similarly to IPv4 in that it provides the unique IP addresses necessary for Internet-enabled devices to communicate. However, there is one distinguishing factor: it utilizes a 128-bit IP address.

IPv4 uses a 32-bit address for its Internet addresses. In true sense, it can provide support for 2^32 IP addresses in total around 4.29 billion. At first glance, this should be enough, but all 4.29 billion IP addresses have now been assigned, leading to the address shortage issues we face today.

On the other hand, IPv6 utilizes 128-bit Internet addresses. Therefore, it can support 2^128 Internet addresses—340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 of them to be exact. The number of IPv6 addresses is 1028 times larger than the number of IPv4 addresses. So, this figure should sustain us for a longer period of time.

The text form of the IPv6 address is xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx:xxxx, where each x represents a hexadecimal digit, representing 4 bits. Leading zeros can be omitted. The double colon (::) can be used once in the text form of an address, to designate any number of 0 bits.

Editor’s picks:

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Daniel Barrett

Daniel Barrett

Recent Articles

  • 9 Superior Ways How To Connect IPhone To MacBook Without USB

    iPhone

    9 Superior Ways How To Connect IPhone To MacBook Without USB

    How to connect iPhone to MacBook without USB is essential for transferring files, backing up data, or simply charging your device. Traditionally, we use a USB cable to connect the two devices, but what if you don't have a USB cable on hand?

  • 10 Ways To Disconnect Iphone From Mac

    iPhone

    10 Ways To Disconnect Iphone From Mac

    How to disconnect iphone from mac is an essential task that should be done properly to avoid any potential data loss or damage to your device. There are several ways to disconnect your iPhone from your Mac, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

  • How To Fix “Updating Cloud Music Library” Error On Apple Music

    How Tos

    How To Fix “Updating Cloud Music Library” Error On Apple Music

    How to Fix Updating Cloud Music Library Error on Apple Music. If you are an Apple Music user and you encounter the error message "Updating Cloud Music Library" that stays stuck and won't go away, you may find yourself feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do.

  • How To Set Up Output To Multiple Speakers On MacOS

    How Tos

    How To Set Up Output To Multiple Speakers On MacOS

    If you are someone who enjoys listening to music or watching movies on your Mac, you may have considered setting up multiple speakers to enhance your audio experience. However, the process of how to set up output to multiple speakers on MacOS may seem daunting at first.

  • UK Is Developing Its Own ‘BritGPT’ AI Model

    News

    UK Is Developing Its Own ‘BritGPT’ AI Model

    According to recent reports, the UK government has committed to investing £900 million ($1.1 billion) into the development of a cutting-edge supercomputer. This supercomputer, known as "BritGPT," is intended to create the UK's own Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) AI model. It will be the first uk's own britgpt ai model.

  • ChatGPT Vs Bing - Which Search Engine Comes Out On Top?

    Comparisons

    ChatGPT Vs Bing - Which Search Engine Comes Out On Top?

    When it comes to search engines, Google and Bing are arguably the most well-known platforms. But now that AI-based language models like ChatGPT are out there, the search landscape is changing. Among the numerous search engines available, ChatGPT vs Bing are two of the most popular.

  • Upgrade Your Tech Game - Tips For Staying Ahead In The Digital World

    Guides

    Upgrade Your Tech Game - Tips For Staying Ahead In The Digital World

    Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual user, if you upgrade your tech game it can help you enhance productivity, efficiency, and convenience.

  • Top Affordable Premium Tablets - Affordable Luxury For Tech Enthusiasts

    Editor's Pick

    Top Affordable Premium Tablets - Affordable Luxury For Tech Enthusiasts

    Top affordable premium tablets have become a popular choice for people who want to experience the benefits of a high-end tablet without breaking the bank. These tablets offer advanced features, high-quality displays, powerful processors, and long battery life at a lower cost compared to the more expensive models.

  • A 36-year-old Man Warned By His Apple Watch Of An Unknown Heart Problem

    News

    A 36-year-old Man Warned By His Apple Watch Of An Unknown Heart Problem

    A 36-year-old man warned by his Apple Watch of an unknown heart problem. According to BBC News, a man who had been experiencing dizziness went to bed and woke up the next morning to notifications from his Apple Watch informing him that he had a cardiac ailment.

  • Messenger Is Returning To The Facebook Application

  • Using Tasker To Talk With ChatGPT On Your Phone Looks Equal Parts Powerful And Terrifying

  • Snapchat Launches "My AI," Its Own ChatGPT-powered Chatbot

  • Xnxubd 2023 Nvidia New - The Future Of Graphics Technology

  • How To Delete A Youtube Channel On IPhone?