Estimated reading time: 2 min
IPv4 and IPv6 are internet protocols that assign IP addresses to devices. Internet Protocol version 4 is older and uses 32-bit addresses, while Internet Protocol version 6 is newer with 128-bit addresses, solving IP exhaustion. Learn their differences and how they work.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to devices connected to a network. It allows data to be sent and received between devices.
What Is IPv4?
IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the fourth version of the IP protocol and the most widely used.
- Address Length: 32-bit
- Format: Dotted decimal (e.g.,
192.168.0.1) - Total Addresses: Around 4.3 billion
- Problem: Limited number of IP addresses led to exhaustion.
What Is IPv6?
IPv6 is the sixth version of the Internet Protocol, developed to solve the limitations of IPv4.
- Address Length: 128-bit
- Format: Hexadecimal, colon-separated (e.g.,
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) - Total Addresses: 340 undecillion (virtually unlimited)
- Benefits: More addresses, better routing, built-in security features, no need for NAT (Network Address Translation).
Key Differences Between IPv4 and IPv6
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address Length | 32-bit | 128-bit |
| Format | Decimal (e.g., 192.0.2.1) | Hexadecimal (e.g., 2001:db8::1) |
| Address Space | 4.3 billion | Trillions of trillions |
| NAT Required | Yes | No |
| Built-in Security | No | Yes (IPSec support) |
| Deployment | Widely used | Slowly being adopted |
Why IPv6 Adoption Matters
IPv6 is essential for the future of the internet. With the explosion of IoT devices, mobile devices, and global internet use, IPv6 ensures there’s enough IP space for everything.
Conclusion
IPv4 served the internet well, but IPv6 is the future. While both are currently in use, IPv6 adoption is growing as the demand for more IP addresses increases.
🏷️ Tags: IPv4, IPv6, IP address, networking, internet protocol, tech guide, how internet works, network basics, IPv6 vs IPv4, tech explained
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