What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

You can find a lot of information in the Internet space about what IP protocols are used for data exchange. Since there are thousands of different devices connected to the World Wide Web, it has become inconvenient to use the same protocol over time. Therefore, developers use several different ways to exchange information.

The most modern versions are considered to be IPv4 and IPv6. They have several differences and are aimed at different devices. Logically, most experienced users prefer to use the newer version. But not everyone understands the difference between IPv4 and IPv6. Let’s try to understand this issue in more detail.

What is IPv4 and IPv6

First of all, you need to understand what is ipv4 and ipv6 are and only after comparing them with each other. These are versions of the system for addressing by IP protocols. This protocol allows different devices to interact through network technologies and exchange data. Each device has its IP address. The fourth version used addresses with 32 digits. Thanks to this it was possible to connect more than 4 billion devices.

But today there are many more users connected to the World Wide Web and such a range became insufficient. Therefore, the developers had to create a new format that would allow it to serve even more users. For this purpose, protocols with IPv6 versions were created.

Similarities between them

Before studying the differences between ipv4 and ipv6 it is worth reviewing their similarities. The main similarity between these protocols is the purpose of their creation. Both are created for the need to exchange data among Internet users. Also, the main technology for the functioning of all switches on these protocols is routing. In addition, the similarities between these versions are:

• naming format;
• basic protocols;
• the ability to transmit data without connection.

An identical naming system helps to assign unique identifiers for each device in both protocol versions. So no matter whether a PC, laptop, tablet, or cell phone is connected to the network, they will all have a unique name on the Internet.

Both protocols are part of the TCP/IP stack. This set of protocols has helped define the standard structure of the Internet since its inception. Despite the name, IPv4 is the first protocol for communication between networks. An updated version of IPv6 has been around since 1995. Initially, it was not considered a variation for the Internet and was not included in this stack until 2017.

Also, these protocols can work without the concept of connectivity. Both of them can apply multi-packet routing. Due to this, all data is split into small blocks and forwarded to the recipient by different routes. This approach increases the speed of processing all requests.

Differences between the two

Despite the similarities, these packages have many differences. To understand the difference between ipv4 and ipv6 you don’t have to go far. It is enough to look at their structure, which differs in terms of headers and spaces for them. The sixth version supports separate packets and allows for advanced routing capabilities. In addition, the protocols differ in:

• address space;
• naming;
• types of communication.

First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the address space. In the fourth version, it has more than 4 billion IPs. But in the case of version six, there are many more addresses. It is more than 340 undecillion. Of course, many of the addresses are already reserved. In IPv4, this figure reaches more than half a billion. It is believed that since 2011 all IPs in version 4 have been exhausted. Therefore, the transition to IPv6 is considered justified, although there are already a lot of reserved addresses. Except this is not yet noticeable in the total number of available IPs.

Regarding naming, IPv4 addresses consist of numeric values (four decimal numbers from 0 to 255 and separated by three dots). In IPv6, address names consist of eight hexadecimal numbers (4 characters each from 0 to 9) and are separated by colons. If an address has a pair of zeros, the block can be compressed between colons.

Looking at the differences in the types of communication, devices with both protocols can communicate with more than one device at a time.  While IPv4 can support unicast, multi-packet, and broadcast, IPv6 can also support mass distribution using multi-packet routing. This allows you to transmit information with a minimum cost of delivery to its final recipient.

In general, as you can see, these protocols differ significantly from each other. Therefore, it is worth investigating both and understanding which one is more beneficial for your business.

Advantages of IPv6 over IPv4

Trying to get access to ipv6 for what is needed is best to study this question in advance. For example, compare the capabilities of this protocol with its previous version. So you will understand its advantages and why you need an updated protocol. In general, many users say that IPv6 is more functional. It does not need to broadcast network addresses, which means that they do not need to be configured as in the fourth version. This simplification alone will allow you to send data to the right devices at the moment when there are no available IP addresses. Also among its advantages are the capabilities of:

1. autoconfiguration;
2. routing;
3. higher level of security.

This protocol is used with SLAAC technology and allows the device to configure the address on its own and not involve additional protocols or intermediaries. With the sixth version, it is possible to remove DHCP from the processes and reduce the overall traffic volume.

Another point why ipv6 is needed concerns more efficient routing. Thanks to the abandonment of NAT it was possible to simplify the routing headers. As a result, the processes are faster and users are more comfortable to work. And the main point is security. Built-in security tools of the sixth version in large quantities. You can also apply additional privacy extensions to them and use other secure routing protocols. For example, when working, you can use secure proxies and work through them.

Conclusion

To date, not everyone understands what is better ipv4 or ipv6 as a security protocol. While the majority of users on the Internet sit on the fourth version. This is because the entire infrastructure in the world is still able to support only this version of the protocol. Transitioning to new variants can take a long time and cost a lot of money.

Nevertheless, many Internet providers are already starting to actively use the protocol of the sixth version. Such modern equipment is used when working with large clients. For example, manufacturers of mobile devices.

For companies to create network structures that meet security standards and networking capabilities, they are better off using the new version of the protocol. IPv6 can also be used for network resilience in large multinational companies. This can help with the high cost of maintaining the old version of the protocols. And this led to the depletion of network channels.

Of course, only the owner of the network can decide on the use of new protocols. But if he is looking into the future, he should definitely take advantage of such an opportunity and conduct all networks in advance using the modern protocol for safe, fast and comfortable work.