First off, an IP address is a numerical label given to each device that is linked in one way or the other to a computer network that utilizes the IPD protocol for communication purposes. Furthermore, an IP address serves as an identifier for particular devices on a network. Sometimes, the IP address is also referred to as an internet address or IP number.
IPV4 – What is it?
An IPV4 is an IP version mostly utilized to spot devices on a network using an addressing system.
More so, the IPV4 is also seen as the primary Internet Protocol and it sends about 94% of internet traffic both far and wide.
IPV4 Features
Here are the special features of the first IPV4:
- Needs less memory
- Provides video conferences and libraries
- It has a connectionless protocol
- Already supported protocol by millions of devices worldwide
- It permits you to create a simple virtual communication layer
IPV6 – What is it?
On the other hand, an IPV6 is the latest model of the internet protocol. The IPV6 is sent to quench the desire for additional internet addresses. Also, its purpose was to decipher problems that are connected with IPV4.
It has about 128-bit address space, which permits about 340 undecillion special address space. Like earlier mentioned, IPV6 is the newest version of the internet protocol, no wonder why it is referred to as the internet protocol next generation.
IPV6 Features
Special features of the most recent version include:
- Supports quality service
- It has a stateless and stateful configuration
- Features hierarchical addressing and routing infrastructure
- It also features the right protocol for close node communication
Major Differences Between IPV4 and IPV6
Here are the major differences between the duo (IPV4 and IPV6):
- The IPV4 includes a 32-bit address length while IPV6 includes a 128-bit address length.
- Not to mention, IPV4 end-to-end connection honesty and reliability are not assured while IPV6 end-to-end reliability is assured.
- IPV4 security feature depends on the application while IPV6 has a built-in IPSEC security feature.
- More so, IPV4 address representation is in decimal while address representation in IPV6 is hexadecimal.
- As a matter of fact, IPV4 can generate 4.29×10(9) address space while IPV6 can generate 3.4×0(38) address space.
- IPV4 includes a header of about 20-60 bytes while IPV6 includes a header of 40 bytes (not more or less).
- In terms of IPV4, authentication and encryption facilities are not provided while authentication and encryption facilities are provided.
- In IPV4, the checksum field can be accessed while in IPV6, the checksum field is not available.
- In Ipv4, fragmentation is carried out by forwarding routers and senders while in IPV6, fragmentation is carried out by only the sender.
Final Words
IPV4 and IPV6 are very important for computer networks and they serve their different functions effectively. Although IPV4 is slowly fading away in terms of usage and IPV6 becoming the mainstay, it is still being used worldwide, with its effectiveness still highly sought after. With either of these internet protocols, you no longer need to ask what is my ip address.