What is the Difference Between IPv6 and IPv4?

Posted by admin on 24 07 2015. 1 Comment on What is the Difference Between IPv6 and IPv4?

There is significant difference between the two internet protocols, IPv4 and IPv6. If IPv4 is the most widely used IP in the world right now and it has been reliable for the 20 years of its existence. A more upgraded version was launched in 1994, the IPv6, to address the shortcomings of the earlier version. Here we can learn more about difference between the two internet protocols.

Limitation in Addresses

IPv6 is much more sophisticated compared to IPv4 in that sense that the former uses 128 bits long addresses while the latter uses only 32 bits. The limitation of IPv4 in terms of addresses inspired the creation of IPv6. The practical choice for you to have is to continue running IPv4 if it doesn’t reach its limitation. When the time comes that you need to upgrade, you can opt for to use IPv6 already. The huge difference in these addresses allow IPv6 a wider range in network design. Your clients can have the flexibility of using a completely unique IP address that can ensure security and efficient connectivity.

Management and Multicast

 Both internet protocols can be used today but since IPv6 is an improved version of IPv4, the former offers more flexible and easier management system. The IPv6 can save you more time because it has an auto-configuration feature that can design a unique IP address for you without using a DHCP.

IPv4 can use multicast that will allow you to use a single packet for communicating with multiple systems. However, the multicast is not supported by all hosts in the system. Unlike with IPv6 where the multicast is used in connecting with all hosts and all routers. This level of ease and simplicity enables better communication among systems. The default subnet of IPv6 doesn’t require a broadcast address.

Configuring Addresses

When it comes to configuring address, the difference is that IPv4 uses the stateful address feature while the IPv6 uses both stateful and stateless functionality. In this way, you have more flexibility to choose to configure your network by producing a local IP address because this can be done automatically in a stateless address configuration. You can even generate a routable address by the ICMP messages supplied by the router. You don’t have to lift a finger will the IPv6 works its magic and renumber the addresses without the configuring the hosts.

You have several things to consider before you take the plunge from using IPv4 to IPv6. It is difficult to switch from the two in a short amount of time. Both internet protocols are still usable up to this day but if you don’t have enough addresses, that’s the time when you can consider IPv6. You can prepare your system now to incorporate the advance features of IPv6 to ensure the smooth transition. The life span of your hardware can also be a good indication that you have to integrate update your IPv4 to a higher and more sophisticated version. It depends on your current needs but it’s recommended that you are prepared and you adapt to the changes in technology.