Internet Protocol Version 6

Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)

Overview

What is IPv6?

Internet Protocol Version 6 is commonly known as IPv6. It represents the evolution of Internet Protocol technology, offering an advanced way to transport data in packets from one source to another across diverse networks. It acts as the successor to IPv4 and is designed to accommodate an exponentially larger number of network nodes.

IPv6 significantly expands the network’s capacity to support addresses. It enables an astronomical total of 2^128 possible node or address combinations, facilitating vast connectivity options compared to its predecessor, IPv4.

Internet Protocol Next Generation

You might also hear IPv6 referred to as Internet Protocol Next Generation or IPng, highlighting its role in the future of digital communications.

Internet Protocol Version 6 Explained By Techbonafide

Techbonafide explains that on June 6, 2012, developers released Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) in a hexadecimal format. This format includes 8 octets, enhancing the scalability of network addresses significantly.

Functionality & Addressing

Similar to its predecessor, IPv4, IPv6 handles the task of address broadcasting. However, it distinguishes itself by not incorporating broadcast addresses in any of its classes, streamlining network communications.

Feature IPv4 IPv6
Address Length 32 bits 128 bits
Address Format Decimal Hexadecimal
Number of Addresses Approximately 4.3 billion Approximately 340 undecillion
IPSec Support Optional Required
Address Configuration Manual and DHCP Auto-configuration and DHCPv6
Broadcasting Uses broadcast addresses Does not use broadcast addresses; uses multicast instead
Packet Size Header without options is 20 bytes Header without options is 40 bytes
Fragmentation Performed by sender and forwarding routers Performed by sender only
Header Complexity Contains more fields Simplified with fewer fields
DNS Records A records AAAA records
Link-Local Addressing Not defined Defined and used for local network operations
Mobility and Flexibility Less efficient More efficient due to built-in features

This table by techbonafide encapsulates the primary technical distinctions between the two protocols, illustrating the advancements made with IPv6 in addressing scalability, security and network management.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tech Bonafide World Map
Tech Bonafide Google News
Google News
What is FPU? (Floating Point Unit)
What is FPU? (Floating Point Unit)

Computers handle a vast array of calculations daily, from simple arithmetic to complex scientific computations. One specialized component that plays a critical role in processing...

What is File Carving?
What is File Carving?

File carving is a powerful technique in the fields of digital forensics and data recovery, used to recover files that may have been deleted, corrupted,...