about IPv4 and IPv6
What is IP?
An Internet Protocol address is also known as IP address. It is a numerical label which assigned to each device connected to a computer network which uses the IP for communication.
IP address act as an identifier for a specific machine on a particular network. The IP address is also called IP number and internet address. IP address specifies the technical format of the addressing and packets scheme. Most networks combine IP with a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). It also allows developing a virtual connection between a destination and a source.
What is IPv4?
IPv4 was the first version of IP. It was deployed for production in the ARPANET in 1983. Today it is most widely used IP version. It is used to identify devices on a network using an addressing system.
The IPv4 uses a 32-bit address scheme allowing to store 2^32 addresses which is more than 4 billion addresses. Till date, it is considered the primary Internet Protocol and carries 94% of Internet traffic.
What is IPv6?
It is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol. Internet Engineer Taskforce initiated it in early 1994. The design and development of that suite is now called IPv6.
This new IP address version is being deployed to fulfill the need for more Internet addresses. It was aimed to resolve issues which are associated with IPv4. With 128-bit address space, it allows 340 undecillion unique address space. IPv6 also called IPng (Internet Protocol next generation).
Features of IPv4
- Connectionless Protocol
- Allow creating a simple virtual communication layer over diversified devices
- It requires less memory, and ease of remembering addresses
- Already supported protocol by millions of devices
- Offers video libraries and conferences
Features of IPv6
- Hierarchical addressing and routing infrastructure
- Stateful and Stateless configuration
- Support for quality of service (QoS)
- An ideal protocol for neighboring node interaction
Difference between IPv4 vs. IPv6
IPv4 & IPv6 are both addresses that are used to identify machines connected to a network. In principle, they are the same, but they are different in how they work.
| Basis for differences | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Size of IP address | IPv4 is a 32-Bit IP Address. | IPv6 is 128 Bit IP Address. |
| Addressing method | IPv4 is a numeric address, and its binary bits are separated by a dot (.) | IPv6 is an alphanumeric address whose binary bits are separated by a colon (:). It also contains hexadecimal. |
| Number of header fields | 12 | 8 |
| Length of header filed | 20 | 40 |
| Checksum | Has checksum fields | Does not have checksum fields |
| Example | 12.244.233.165 | 2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:ff00:0042:7879 |
| Type of Addresses | Unicast, broadcast, and multicast. | Unicast, multicast, and anycast. |
| Number of classes | IPv4 offers five different classes of IP Address. Class A to E. | lPv6 allows storing an unlimited number of IP Address. |
| Configuration | You have to configure a newly installed system before it can communicate with other systems. | In IPv6, the configuration is optional, depending upon on functions needed. |
| VLSM support | IPv4 support VLSM (Virtual Length Subnet Mask). | IPv6 does not offer support for VLSM. |
| Fragmentation | Fragmentation is done by sending and forwarding routes. | Fragmentation is done by the sender. |
| Routing Information Protocol (RIP) | RIP is a routing protocol supported by the routed daemon. | RIP does not support IPv6. It uses static routes. |
| Network Configuration | Networks need to be configured either manually or with DHCP. IPv4 had several overlays to handle Internet growth, which require more maintenance efforts. | IPv6 support autoconfiguration capabilities. |
| Best feature | Widespread use of NAT (Network address translation) devices which allows single NAT address can mask thousands of non-routable addresses, making end-to-end integrity achievable. | It allows direct addressing because of vast address Space. |
| Address Mask | Use for the designated network from host portion. | Not used. |
| SNMP | SNMP is a protocol used for system management. | SNMP does not support IPv6. |
| Mobility & Interoperability | Relatively constrained network topologies to which move restrict mobility and interoperability capabilities. | IPv6 provides interoperability and mobility capabilities which are embedded in network devices. |
| Security | Security is dependent on applications - IPv4 was not designed with security in mind. | IPSec(Internet Protocol Security) is built into the IPv6 protocol, usable with a proper key infrastructure. |
| Packet size | Packet size 576 bytes required, fragmentation optional | 1208 bytes required without fragmentation |
| Packet fragmentation | Allows from routers and sending host | Sending hosts only |
| Packet header | Does not identify packet flow for QoS handling which includes checksum options. | Packet head contains Flow Label field that specifies packet flow for QoS handling |
| DNS records | Address (A) records, maps hostnames | Address (AAAA) records, maps hostnames |
| Address configuration | Manual or via DHCP | Stateless address autoconfiguration using Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) or DHCPv6 |
| IP to MAC resolution | Broadcast ARP | Multicast Neighbour Solicitation |
| Local subnet Group management | Internet Group Management Protocol GMP) | Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) |
| Optional Fields | Has Optional Fields | Does not have optional fields. But Extension headers are available. |
| IPSec | Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) concerning network security is optional | Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) Concerning network security is mandatory |
| Dynamic host configuration Server | Clients have approach DHCS (Dynamic Host Configuration server) whenever they want to connect to a network. | A Client does not have to approach any such server as they are given permanent addresses. |
| Mapping | Uses ARP(Address Resolution Protocol) to map to MAC address | Uses NDP(Neighbour Discovery Protocol) to map to MAC address |
| Combability with mobile devices | IPv4 address uses the dot-decimal notation. That's why it is not suitable for mobile networks. | IPv6 address is represented in hexadecimal, colon- separated notation. IPv6 is better suited to mobile networks. |
IPv4 and IPv6 cannot communicate with other but can exist together on the same network. This is known as Dual Stack.
Conclusion
- An Internet Protocol address is also known as IP address
- IPv4 was the first version of IP which was deployed for production in the ARPANET in 1983
- IPV6 is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol. Internet Engineer Taskforce initiated it in early 1994.
- IPV4 allows creating a simple virtual communication layer over diversified devices
- IPV6 supports Hierarchical addressing and routing infrastructure
- IPv4 is a 32-Bit IP Address while IPv6 is 128 Bit IP Address
- IPv4 offers five different classes of IP Address.
- IPv6 is 128 Bit IP Address
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