Before we dive into what is IPv4 and the differences between IPv4 and IPv6, let’s start with the very basics.
Table of Contents
What is IP?
One way IP addresses are used in computer networks is as a number label for each device connected to that system. A device’s IP address serves as a unique identifier on a network. It is also known as an IP number or Internet address.
An IP address identifies the protocol’s address space and packet format. TCP and IP are commonly used in most networks (Transmission Control Protocol). It also enables the creation of a virtual link between a source and a destination.
Now let’s move towards more details regarding IPv4 vs IPv6
What is IPv4?
Using an addressing system, IPv4 is commonly used to identify devices on the network. In 1983, ARPANET launched the first production version of IP. More than 4 billion addresses can be stored in a 32-bit address scheme. 94 percent of the Internet’s traffic is carried by this protocol. Now for any user, the answer to what’s my IPv4 address and how do I find it can easily be accessed through VeePN’s feature that allows you to get to know what my IPv4 address is. Not only this, you can check out your real IP address through our free IP checker easily.
Packet Information
To put it another way, an IPv4 datagram is a data packet containing a header (20 bytes) and the data itself (up to 65,536 along with the header). Routing and delivery depend on the information in the header.
Key Features:
- Allows for the creation of a simple virtual communication layer over a wide range of devices using connectionless protocols
- Addresses are easier to memorize and require less memory
- Millions of gadgets already use this protocol
- Provides access to video libraries as well as educational conferences
What is IPv6?
In terms of the Internet Protocol, IPv6 is the most modern version. In order to meet the need for more Internet addresses, this new IP address version is being implemented. This effort was targeted at resolving IPv4 difficulties. A 128-bit address space enables a staggering 340 trillion distinct addresses. IPng is another name for IPv6 (Internet Protocol next generation).
Early in 1994, the Internet Engineer Taskforce got the ball rolling. IPv6 is the name given to the suite’s design and development.
Packet Information
The payload follows the obligatory base header in every packet. Two types of data are included in the payload: optional extension headers and data from a layer above the data layer itself. It takes 40 bytes to store the base header, but up to 65,535 bytes for the extension headers and data from the top layer.
Key Features:
- A layered addressing and routing system
- Configurations that are both stateful and non-stateful
- Assurance of high-quality service (QoS)
- One of the best protocols for inter-node communication.
Key Differences between IPv4 and IPv6
With IPv6, there is no limit to the number of addresses you can have, making it the most significant change from IPv4. When IPv4 was first released, mobile devices were still a rarity. There were no mobile networks or IoT-enabled devices in the design of IPv4. When these devices connect to the internet, they do so via NAT, which is a type of firewall. IPv4 devices may encounter issues throughout this operation.
Moving to IPv6 is now essential since mobile device internet access is now the norm. IPv6 enables more efficient communication across devices. There’s no surprise that mobile networks are the first to adopt IPv6 because of the benefits it provides.’ Due to the flexibility of IPv6, a single device can have several IP addresses, each corresponding to a certain application. As an alternative to employing NAT, each device connects directly to the Internet using its own given IP address.
Network security was not a priority when IPv4 was released. It is possible, however, to configure IPv4 with the same IP security measures as IPv6. When it comes to Internet Protocol security, IPv4 and IPv6 are practically identical (IPsec).
However, IPv4 relies on the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to translate a device’s physical, or media access control (MAC), address to its IPv4 address. There are a number of ways to fake ARP and use it to attack a network, such as a man in the middle and denial of service attacks. If you’re concerned about a hacking attack, you can use anti-malware software to protect yourself.
NDP and its related extensions, such as SEND, a security extension that provides cryptographic addresses and public key infrastructure (PKI) independent from the IPsec inherent in IPv6, are used to map to a device’s MAC address. Thus, despite the presence of IP security in IPv4, the major IPv4 and IPv6 difference is security.
With regards to IPv4 device configuration, there are two options: manual configuration or the use of DHCP. In contrast, each IPv6-enabled device has the option of autoconfiguration. When it comes to configuring a device, IPv6 has a commanding lead.
So these are the notable IPv4 and IPv6 differences and the main features that set them apart from each other. You should of course, always use an IP checker to be aware of what your real IP address is.
Final Thoughts
IPv6 maintains many of the fundamental notions of IPv4 but makes numerous adjustments to the finer points. There were only so many IPv4 addresses, so IPv6 was created to increase the number of addresses available for use. IPv6 provides scalability, flexibility, and seamless possibilities in the field of networking. Always use a VPN when you connect to the internet no matter what communication protocol you are connecting through to ensure the safety of your devices and your data.
