An Internet Protocol address is a label composed of numbers, for example, 197.8.5.1. This address is linked to a computer network that communicates using the Internet Protocol. Two primary purposes are served by an IP address. Identification and location addressing of network interfaces A 32-bit number is what the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) defines as an IP address. Nevertheless, due to the expansion of the Internet and the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.In 1998, a new version of IP (IPv6) was adopted, using 128 bits for the IP address. However, IPv6 deployment has been going on since the middle of the 2000s. Human-readable formats are used to write and display IP addresses, such as 197.8.5.1 for IPv4 and 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1 for IPv6.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) oversees the management of the IP address space on a global scale, and five regional Internet registries (RIRs) are in charge of managing it in their respective regions for assignment to local Internet registries, such as Internet service providers (ISPs) and other end users. Blocks of over 16.8 million IPv4 addresses each were provided by IANA to the local internet registry, but IANA has run out of IPv4 addresses as of 2011. Only one RIR still has stock available for regional operations in Africa. Not all IPv4 addresses are globally unique and some are reserved for private networks.Every piece of equipment connected to the network is given an IP address by the network administrator. Depending on network procedures and software capabilities, such assignments may be static (fixed or permanent) or dynamic.

Format And Features Of IPv4

Let’s look at the features of the format used to store IPv4 addresses.

• This protocol is already supported by millions of devices.
• Between several devices, a fundamental virtual communication layer can be created.
• a connectionless protocol.
• Addresses are less complicated to store and are simpler to recall.
• provides video libraries and conferencing. 12 header fields are provided.
• An IPv4 checksum field exists.

Format And Features Of IPv6

Let’s look at the features of the format used to store IPv6 addresses.

• Infrastructure for hierarchical addressing and routing is supported by quality of service (QoS).
• An optimal protocol for communication between neighbouring nodes.
• Configurations that use and don’t use states.
• Give each gadget a different address.
• Routing is made easier by the usage of a CIDR-like hierarchy in IPv6 address encoding.

The Best Internet Protocol Version to Use

As you have seen the features, let’s dive into a quick comparison for choosing the best version.

Performance

The Internet Protocol version’s address size affects performance. In contrast to IPv6, which has a 128-bit hexadecimal address space, IPv4 has a 32-bit address space. In addition, because IPv6 has a bigger address space, it can manage very large address requirements with simpler headers and simpler routing.

Format

In comparison to IPv4 addresses, IPv6 addresses include four times as many extension headers. Connections are greatly accelerated by this extra feature of IPv6 addresses, which lowers header bandwidth requirements and packet processing overhead.

Security

IPSec is a network security protocol that is required for functioning in IPv6, but optional or extra in IPv4. In summary, this IPv6 feature enhances data consistency, network security, and confidentiality.

Faster Speed

On network devices, IPv6 is quicker than IPv4 since there is no network address translation (NAT). If high speed network processing is necessary, we advise utilising IPv6.

Conclusion

Last but not least, IPv6 prevails when comparisons and features are known. But compared to IPv4, it is being used by fewer devices. Ipv6 addresses are preferable since they allow for considerably faster and more secure data transfer when using cloud apps. IPv4 and IPv6 are additionally intrinsically incompatible. To make sure that the two protocols are functioning and compatible, an intermediary technology is needed. Today’s Internet space is dominated by IPv4, which is frequently utilised to host server clusters and dedicated servers.

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