IPv4 and IPv6 are important Internet Protocols from the Domain Name System. In this article, we will take a closer look at what they are and why they are essential. So let’s start.
IPv4 – what does it mean?
Between IPv4 and IPv6, the 4th version of IP is the older Internet Protocol. Its purpose as an Internet Protocol (IP) is to describe communication rules and how data packets should be sent.
One of the most important features of IPv4 is that it does not necessitate entirely establishing a connection between the two sites. Instead, it simply sends a message without checking to see if it was received. As a result, it is ideal for use on the Internet.
IPv4 addresses are 32-bit addresses that identify every connected host. They are brief and relatively simple to use. These addresses have four groups of numbers, each with three numbers.
56.174.39.218 is an example of an IPv4 address.
IPv5 – The Experimental Step Between IPv4 and IPv6
IPv5, also known as Internet Stream Protocol (ST), was an experimental protocol intended to support video and voice transmission over the internet. Developed in the late 1970s and standardized in the 1980s as ST and later as ST2, IPv5 was designed for stream-oriented connections, which require managing data packets efficiently to maintain the quality of service (QoS) for real-time data. This protocol utilized the same addressing scheme as IPv4, with 32-bit addresses, which is why it is often referred to as IPv5.
Despite its advancements, IPv5 was ultimately an experimental phase and never widely adopted for public internet use. It served as an essential precursor to IPv6, highlighting the need for more extensive addressing capabilities and better support for real-time data transmission. IPv5’s focus on quality of service and real-time data transmission paved the way for some of the features we see in IPv6, including improved support for QoS and streaming media.
IPv5’s role in the evolution of Internet Protocols is a testament to the ongoing efforts to adapt and enhance digital communication networks. Its development underscored the necessity for protocols that could handle the burgeoning demand for internet multimedia content and laid the groundwork for the significant leap from IPv4 to IPv6. As such, while IPv5 might not be in use today, its contributions are an integral part of the internet’s history, bridging the gap between IPv4’s limitations and IPv6’s innovations.
The definition of IPv6
The 6th version of the Internet Protocol is the most recent edition of the IP between IPv4 and IPv6. It’s worth noting that IPv6 has been around for more than two decades. It first appeared in 1995. The tremendous growth of devices wishing to connect to the Internet showed that IPv4 would not be able to meet such demands. As a result, IPv6 was created. People, on the other hand, were not ready to abandon IPv4. Unfortunately, this is a time-consuming procedure.
These addresses are split by colons and consist of eight sections of four hexadecimal digits. In addition, each sequence is 16 bits long.
An example for IPv6 address is 38ae:0000:0000:0000:0000:ffff:0000:27da
IPv4 and IPv6 – the differences
IPv4 and IPv6 are two different types of Internet Protocols. So the main differences between them are as follow:
- The latest IPv6 can provide more than enough accessible IP addresses thanks to 128-bit addresses. Instead, IPv4 addresses are rapidly running out.
- There are no issues with packet fragmentation while using IPv6. The earlier IPv4 address, on the other hand, had some problems with it.
- IPSec is a fantastic IPv6 breakthrough. It’s a method of authentication that also encrypts the connection. Furthermore, it validates who is sending the packets. As a result, the receiver will be able to inspect the data’s origin.
- If you’re using IPv6 on your network, you can also use the SLAAC protocol (stateless address auto-configuration). It will provide auto-configuration for a new host. As a result, a DHCP server will not be required. However, DHCP might also be used with IPv6 addresses.
When will we switch from IPv4 to IPv6?
For years, the globe has been moving toward IPv6, and different organizations are at various phases of adoption. Currently, the two versions of the protocol coexist harmoniously in the mind of the average end-user. As IPv4 runs out every day, we will switch to IPv6 permanently. However, this will not happen immediately as it takes time. But yes, the future will be IPv6 addresses.
Conclusion
Now you are familiar with the fundamental differences between IPv4 and IPv6. They are two different types of Internet Protocol addresses whose primary purpose is to identify devices on a network. Therefore, IPv4 and IPv6 are nearly identical in essence, yet they operate differently.