Previously, you have learned that an IP address is a unique sequence of numbers that serves as the identity of a device, such as a laptop, mobile phone, or server.
Even websites have IP addresses. For example, 172.217.17.46 for Google.
IP addresses are crucial in enabling devices to connect and communicate with each other.
As it has evolved, IP addresses are divided into two types: IPv4 and IPv6.
IPv4 is the older version of IP addresses, still using 32 bits and has been in use since the early 1980s. On the other hand, IPv6 is its improved version.
Now, in this article, we will discuss IPv6, including its definition, advantages, and the differences between the two versions.
Let's dive in and read until the end!
What is IPv6?
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is an IP address version that uses 128 bits. It consists of eight groups of numbers and letters, each representing a decimal representation of 16 binary digits.
An example of IPv6 is 2001:cdba:0000:0000:0000:0000:3257:9652. Alternatively, it can be written more concisely as 2001:cdba::3257:9652.
With the 128-bit system, it can have combinations of up to 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 addresses! Wow!
No wonder it is expected to replace IPv4, which is limited to only 4.29 billion IP addresses. So, as the demand for IP addresses increases, there's no need to worry about running out of them.
Unfortunately, its current usage worldwide is only at 35%. This means there are still quite a lot of people sticking with IPv4.
By the way, there is also IP address version 5 or IPv5. However, since it doesn't differ much technologically with its 32-bit system usage, IPv5 is considered unable to provide a solution to the limitations of IPv4.
The Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6
Here are the most notable differences between these sibling IP addresses:
| Differences | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address Length | 32-bit | 128-bit |
| Address Format | Using numbers only (numeric) | Consisting of numbers and letters (alphanumeric) |
| Example address | 172.16.254.1 | 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:ff00:0042:7879 |
| Unique address support | Max 4.29 billion | Max 340.282.366.920.938.463.463.374.607.431.768.211.456 |
| Number of IP address classes | There are five classes, A to E | Without limitations |
| DNS record | A | AAAA |
Advantages and Disadvantages of IPv6 and IPv4
Each version of the IP address has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most notable advantages and disadvantages of IPv6:
Advantages:
- Faster - IPv6 does not rely on Network Address Translation (NAT), allowing for faster data transfer processes.
- More Efficient - IPv6 has a smaller routing table compared to IPv4, resulting in more organized and efficient routing processes.
- More Secure - IPv6 is equipped with encryption capabilities, making data exchange processes more secure. Additionally, it is better equipped to counter Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) attacks that can divert and manipulate traffic.
- Bandwidth Savings - IPv6 supports multicast, which enables more efficient use of bandwidth. Data can be sent to multiple destinations simultaneously, conserving bandwidth.
- Easier Configuration - IP address configuration is automated, making it much easier and more practical to set up.
- Mobile-Friendly - Connections on mobile devices can be faster since they do not need to pass through NAT, which can consume time.
Disadvantages:
- Suboptimal Compatibility - Many devices accessing the internet still use IPv4, resulting in incomplete support for IPv6 in infrastructure and networks.
- Slow Transition Trend - Despite being introduced in 1995, IPv6 adoption has only reached about 35% worldwide.
IPv6 on Websites
With the advantages offered by IPv6, many popular websites worldwide have started adopting it. For example:
- Facebook (2a03:2880:f12c:83:face:b00c:0:25de)
- Wikipedia (2620:0000:0861:ed1a:0000:0000:0000:0001)
have already implemented it.
However, don't rush to access Facebook using the above IP addresses, as your internet connection must also support IPv6.
To use IPv6, you may inquire with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or check directly from this webpage.
Are You Ready to Use IPv6?
IPv6 is the IP address version that provides a larger pool of unique addresses compared to IPv4. It can be considered as the future version of IP addresses, offering various advantages.
Now, do you need to use IPv6 for your website? The answer depends on your specific needs.
The most important thing is to ensure that your hosting service supports IPv6. I hope this article helps you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
