IoT devices are growing rapidly. There are billions of devices that are using the internet. Thus, many people think that we will run out of addresses. This hypothesis is actually coming true. However, you don’t need to worry about the internet’s end. The IPv4 addresses are diminishing with time. Thus, most IoT devices are adopting IPv6. In this article, we are going to discuss IPv4 and IPv6.
How does an IP or Internet Protocol Address Works?
Internet Protocol or IP is the set of rules that governs how data will be transferred across the internet. Every device that is using the internet has a numerical IP address. This IP address is used for identifying the destination for network communication. Networks are using IP addresses for identifying the devices. They combine both IP and TCP protocols for enabling the connection between a destination and source. If you don’t have a unique IP address, then you can’t communicate with other devices.
IP addresses are helping machines to communicate with each other. Devices are sending packets to each other. These data packets play a very important part in loading emails and webpages.
There are various components that allow the flow of traffic on the internet. First, the data is divided into the packets. This is known as the datagram process. Also, you need a network stack for transferring data over the internet. The IP address is only one part of the network stack.
What is IPv4?
Most networks are currently using Internet Protocol Version 4 or IPv4 for connecting the devices. It is the 4th version of the IP technology. The main aim of IPv4 is to provide a communication route between the device. Also, it assigns a unique ID to every device.
However, IPv4 can’t guarantee packet delivery. Also, it can’t avoid duplicate delivery. Thus, networks are using TCP with IP. IPv4 is a very flexible protocol. You can configure it both manually and automatically. Also, you can use it with most of the devices.
IPv4 is finally running out of addresses. Thus, IPv6 is the only option left for the internet. IPv6 is offering more than 2128 nodes. Thus, it has a very huge address pool when compared to IPv4. There are very few IPv4 addresses available. Networks are using expensive solutions for dealing with this problem. IPv4 will soon run out of all the possible IP addresses. Thus, it is the perfect time to switch to the IPv6.
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the successor of the IPv4. It is helping nodes in communicating with each other. Network devices can use it for carrying packets from one location to another location. IPv6 is the better version of the IPv4 protocol. It supports more network nodes when compared to the IPv4.
IPv6 supports more than 2128 combinations of addresses. It is also known as the IPng or the Internet Protocol Next Generation. The first version of IPv6 was supporting the hexadecimal format. It has more than eight octets. Thus, it is a very scalable model.
Cons and Pros of IPv6
IPv6 is trying to overcome all the technical shortcomings of its predecessor. It is offering 16-byte or 128-bit addresses to network devices. Thus, it has an address pool of more than 340 undecillion addresses.
The address size of IPv6 is larger when compared to the IPv4. It is using 8 unique groups of characters. Also, the size of each group is 16 bits long. This is the main advantage of using IPv6. You will get access to a huge address pool. Thus, it is a perfect time for networks to adopt IPv6 technology. Still, many network administrators are sticking with the IPv4. Most network admins are already familiar with the IPv4 configurations. They can fix most of the issues in their network. Also, most network admins think that IPv4 provides enough addresses.
There is another very important advantage of IPv4. Your network devices don’t need to share your IP for getting a dedicated address. If multiple computers want to use a single IP, then NAT is the only solution in IPv4 network. Thus, you need to set up complex configurations like firewalls and port forwarding. IPv6 already has trillions of addresses available. Thus, you don’t need to worry about using additional configurations. This will help you in saving a lot of network resources.
Future of IPv6
The adoption of IPv6 mainly depends on mobile carriers and ISPs. Also, it will depend on large enterprises and data centers’ strategy. They need to migrate their whole data. Companies can use both IPv6 and IPv4 in a parallel network. Thus, there is no benefit of using IPv6 only.
There is a huge price tag on the IPv6. Still, companies are slowly adopting it. IPv6 is more efficient when compared to IPv4. Thus, most enterprises are adopting the latest technology.
Every network administrator should get ready to migrate their network. If you are still not preparing, then this strategy can be risky for your network. Smart enterprises understand the flexibility, innovation, and efficiency of IPv6. Thus, they are adopting the latest IPv6 protocol. IPv4 exhaustion is going to speed up the IPv6 adoption. Thus, it is a perfect time to switch to IPv6.
Conclusion
Internet Protocol is the backbone of any network. Network devices can’t communicate without the Internet Protocol. The main aim of the IP is to provide a unique address to every device. Networks are using this address for identifying the devices. IPv4 is running out of new addresses. Thus, companies are looking for a better solution. IPv6 is the future of the internet. It has a very huge address pool. Thus, it can support most of future devices. The adoption of IoT devices is also increasing. Hence, more devices are joining the internet. If your network is still using IPv4, then you should consider upgrading it. There are also many benefits of using IPv6 like flexibility. If you want more information regarding IPv6, then you can contact Bleuwire.
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