Difference between IPv4 and IPv6

An IP address is simply a network address for your computer, so the internet knows where to send your data, emails, or even the stupidest of memes you find yourself laughing at. As for IP addresses, they come in two variations: IPv4 and IPv6; and this is what I will address in this tutorial. With expertise in the field of cybersecurity, I will not only help you discern the difference between IPv4 vs IPv6 and how they work in tandem.

However, before we get into the IPv4 vs IPv6 comparisons, I will take you through their definitions, features and benefits, and the difference between IPv4 and IPv6.

What Is an IP Address?

IP addresses are one of the most commonly heard terms when it comes to browsing the internet, so what is an IP address? Simply put, every device connected to the internet is assigned a unique number known as an IP address.

Communication over the local networks or internet shares all of the information to a specific location using IP addresses.

Currently, there are two versions of IP address- IP Version 4, and IP Version 6. Now, let's take a closer look at these two versions of IP Address.

What Is IPv4?

IPv4 was launched in the late 1980s and quickly garnered its reputation after it became the first version of IP address. IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol Version 4.

The IPv4 format includes 11 digits that are separated by periods. The grouping is also known as the dotted hexadecimal notation.

Example - 192.168.63.126

Every number in the sequence relays data that is specific to the data packet destination. IPv4 is a 32-bit addressing system because each IPv4 address contains four groups, the sum of which is 32 bits.

Combining the host IP address and the network IP address creates IPv4, the older of the two versions of the IP address.

Currently, the IPv4 system supports around 4.29 billion distinct addresses. The number may be mind-boggling, but remember, the internet is ever-expanding, and eventually with the growth of devices ever so more, we will run out of IP addresses if we depend solely on IPv4 addresses.

Features of IPv4

As a cybersecurity engineer, it doesn't surprise me that IPv4 has managed to be prevalent even today, 46 years since its launch with its amazing features. Some of them are:

• IPv4 supports seminars and video libraries
• IPv4 supports a diversified range of devices, allowing the creation of easy online communication.
• It can quickly recall addresses and needs little memory.
• As I previously mentioned, IPv4 supports 4.29 billion unique addresses, hosting millions, if not billions of internet-enabled devices.

What Is IPv6?

The Internet Protocol Version 6, or IPv6 is a by-product of IPv4. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) launched IPv6 in December 1995. IPv6 is the latest version of IP addresses.

As features go, IPv6 is far more efficient than IPv4 and can efficiently execute complex requests, and contains more IP addresses. 

Currently, IPv6 supports an insane 340 undecillion (trillion trillion trillion) addresses! So, that lessens the worry on the whole IPv4 “running out of addresses” issue.

IPv6 comes in a group of 8 hexadecimal digits separated by colons. This has become the standard for identifying computers and devices connected to the internet. IPv6, just like IPv4 gives every device or computer a unique identifier.

The basic difference between IPv4 and IPv6 is that IPv6 latter uses a 128-bit hexadecimal instead of the 32-bit system used by IPv4.

For example, here is what an IPv6 address should look like:

2001:0fr5:97b4:0000:0000:5a6e:03986:1234

The IPv6 system works synced with today’s modern proxy-driven internet. Hence, in a way, overcoming the limitations of IPv4.

Features of IPv6

IPv6 helps efficiently run data by reinstating direct communication across any two devices. IPv4 cannot do this, but instead, it came up with extra procedures to make up for the lack of distinct IP addresses. 

IPv6 does not require reviewing data packets to ensure correct data compilation.

With that said, let us take a closer look at the features that cement IPv6 as the better one among the two versions of IP address.

• IPv6 is both a stateful and stateless configuration
• It supports Quality of Service (QoS)
• Its routing infrastructure and addressing system are hierarchical.

Benefits of IPv6

In this whole IPv4 vs IPv6 debate, the following benefits reinforce IPv6’s quality:

Better security: As a cybersecurity engineer, IPv6’s inbuilt security methods are an added benefit for me, as it allows me to rest at ease knowing the inbuilt measures like Data Authentication, Data Encryption, etc. are better in every aspect compared to IPv4.

Improved support for mobile devices: IPv6 has a better addressing system compared to IPv4, in turn, increasing the support for mobile devices. IPv6 offers quicker data exchange with mobile devices, and proxies in a healthier way than IPv4.

Uncomplicated header: Compared to IPv4, IPv6 has a simpler header. This makes it faster than IPv4 in internet connectivity all the while making it even cheaper.

Importance: As I stated earlier in this IPv4 vs IPv6 tutorial, IPv6 has superior and more trustworthy Quality of Service (QoS) features. These aspects help boost traffic over platforms or websites and help maintain video and audio quality on websites.

Difference between IPv4 and IPv6

In all the IPv4 vs IPv6 debate, it is important to remember that on a networking basis, both these versions of IP addresses are similar and offer the same basic features to users. 

However, there are some differences between them, which include:

Speed Comparison: IPv4 vs. IPv6

So, how does IPv4 compare to IPv6 in terms of speed? 

Based on various results, IPv6 is the fastest amongst the two versions of IP address, and a better choice for most people using the internet. IPv6, in theory, should be faster than IPv4 as IPv6 rids the need to waste time on Network Access Translation (NAT). However, IPv6 has larger packets which in some cases slows down the system. 

What stands as a solid difference between IPv4 and IPv6 is that IPv4 networks are more mature compared to IPv6, and thus offer better, more optimized networks. In the near future IPv6 should catch up to IPv4 and only get faster.

Security Comparison: IPv4 vs IPv6

As a cybersecurity engineer I can, without doubt, say that prioritizing security has to be one of the most important features while using the internet, and IPv4 and IPv6 do not lack it, with IPv6 upping the security features provided by IPv4.

IPv6 was built with better security, which puts me at ease in case I have to work on an IPv6-specific platform. IPv6 has a fully integrated security protocol for security, data integrity, and authentication, all under the watchful eyes of the IETF under its IP Security (IPSec) division.

However, it’s not like IPv4 can’t integrate IPSec, it can, but it's up to the ISPs if they want to integrate it or not, and not all companies usually comply.

Here’s a table where I have illustrated the difference in detail:

Which Is Safer: IPv4 or IPv6?

So, should you switch to IPv6? Even though IPv6 is newer compared to IPv4, it would be incorrect to assume that every security update or feature makes IPv6 better. Both versions of IP addresses suffer from some sort of issues, ranging from packet captures, and man-in-the-middle attacks, to address flooding and more. 

IPv6, as I mentioned previously, supports IPSec, which is similar to how VPNs encrypt data. However, the support of IPSec might make you think that it makes IPv6 better, but in reality, implementing IPSec is a recommendation and not a requirement. IPv4 can also use IPSec, so not much of an addition to the IPv4 vs IPv6 debate.

IPv6 supports an auto-configuration system, allowing devices to generate MAC-based IP addresses. This, in turn, serves as a weakness for hackers or third-party companies to track users by identifying their hardware.

Final Words

IPv4 and IPv6 are synonymous to each other and both are good in their own right. IPv4 has stuck around a lot longer than IPv6, so it shouldn't surprise us that many web pages use IPv4 over IPv6. Not to forget, IPv4 receives regular updates which helps it remain on the same level as IPv6. 

So, if you’re about to make the jump to IPv6 from IPv4 or just want to check out the IPv4 vs IPv6 debate, you can do so without any worries since both are almost equal except for a few major version-defining upgrades.

Looking for more information on IP addresses and the IoT? Visit upGrad today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the main differences between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is backward compatible, unlike IPv6. IPv4 uses a 32-bit address system while IPv6 uses a 128-bit address system.

2. Can we use both IPv4 and IPv6?

We can use both IPv4 and IPv6.

3. Which is faster: IPv4 or IPv6?

IPv6 is faster than IPv4.

4. What is IPv6 used for?

Numerous web pages use IPv6 to assign a unique identifier to the visitor. 

5. What are IPv4 and IPv6 advantages and disadvantages?

IPv4 offers more efficient routing, unlike IPv6. IPv6 has an insane amount of web addresses compared to IPv4.

6 Is it better to use IPv6 or IPv4?

Personally, both are good in their own rights. Even though IPv6 is new, it still has a lot in common with IPv4, meaning, there is no outright winner in an IPv4 vs IPv6 comparison.

7. What are IPv4 and IPv6 examples?

IPv4 example - 253.62.143.230

IPv6 example - bb55:a233:f3cc:63ec:73b2:6bd1:15b3:9e85

8. Is IPv6 better for gaming?

IPv6 is better for gaming since it has a wider IP address platform.

9. Does IPv6 use DNS?

IPv6 does use DNS, although it isn’t necessary since IPv6 has an auto-configuration.

10. Why is IPv6 cheaper?

IPv6 is cheaper than IPv4 because it has an excess repository of IP addresses, compared to the low amount of available IPv4 addresses, as in supply and demand.