What is IPv4?
The terms IPv4 and IPv6. What exactly is IPv4, and why is a transition even necessary? If you want to know more, you can read our blog.
In the world of internet and network communication you may have come across the terms IPv4 and IPv6. But what exactly is IPv4, and why is a transition from IPv4 to IPv6 even necessary? Let's break down these questions step by step and take you into the world of IP addresses. In this blog we mainly cover what IPv4 is and why we're switching to IPv6. If you want to learn more about IPv6, you can read our blog: What is IPv6?
What actually is IPv4?
IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It is the technology that allows devices on the internet to communicate by giving them a unique address, better known as an IP address. This is similar to how your home address works: it ensures mail is sent to the right place. An IPv4 address consists of four number sequences separated by dots, for example 192.168.1.1. On this website you can check which digital address (IP address) you live at!
What are the limitations of IPv4?
Although IPv4 has been the backbone of the internet for years, it also has its limitations. The biggest problem is the limited number of IP addresses: with 32-bit addresses there are just over 4 billion unique combinations possible, and by now nearly all of them are in use. To work around this shortage, many networks use techniques such as Network Address Translation (NAT), where multiple devices share the same external IP address. However, this is a temporary solution and can cause problems, for example when hosting online services or setting up secure connections.
Why IPv6?
When IPv4 was developed in the 1980s, it was hard to imagine that the 4.3 billion unique addresses would ever run out. However, with the explosive growth of internet use, mobile devices, and smart home appliances, this number is no longer sufficient.
This is where IPv6 comes in. IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6 and is the latest version of the Internet Protocol. The main goal of IPv6 is to solve IPv4's address space problem. Where IPv4 uses a 32-bit address space, IPv6 uses a 128-bit address space. This means IPv6 can create an almost infinite number of unique IP addresses - a number so large that we don't need to worry about it running out, at least... that's what we think now!
Technical differences between IPv4 & IPv6
Besides the difference in address space, IPv6 also offers a number of technical improvements over IPv4. Some of these improvements are:
-
Simplified header structure: IPv6 has a simpler header compared to IPv4, leading to more efficient packet processing.
-
Better support for multicast: This is a method for sending information to multiple destinations at once, which is more efficient than IPv4's broadcast method.
-
Autoconfiguration: Devices can automatically generate an IP address without the need for a server, unlike DHCP with IPv4.
-
Improved security: IPv6 was designed with better security features from the ground up, including IPsec, which is optional in IPv4 but mandatory in IPv6.
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 is a necessary step to ensure there are enough unique addresses on the internet. In addition, it also brings technical improvements that make the internet more efficient and secure. Although the rollout of IPv6 is happening gradually and both protocols will coexist for some time, it is clear that the future of internet communication lies with IPv6. For you as a user, this mainly means you can rely on staying connected at all times, with more security and without having to worry about running out of IP addresses.