IPV4 to IPV6 Distinguishing Characteristics

IPv4 to IPv6

Distinguishing characteristics of IPv6 in fulfilment of IPv4 deficiencies:

Internet Protocol version 6 or IPv6 is set to replace IPv4 since IPv4 number allocation conceived during late 1960s and early 1970s is nearing exhaustion. The major deficiency of IPv4 addresses being 32-bit in length allows 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. However, lot of possible addresses in the IPv4 space are already kept under reserve allocation for dedicated uses like loop back testing and local network addressing leaving a little over 3.7 billion usable addresses that are currently functional. Because of inherent allocation inefficiencies, the unique addresses available in the IPv4 system in a lot of situations although allocated remain unused. For example, some of the entities within the U.S.A., including government functionaries and universities have nearly 60% of the allocated addresses, whereas the whole population of U.S. accounts for mere 5% of the global population. The reality that the reclamation of the unused IP addresses is a virtual impossibility has contributed, together with the amazing explosion of internet connected devices, to the speedier exhaustion of current IPv4 addressing system. (Johnson, 2011)

Therefore, IPv4 address exhaustion coupled with the quantum proliferation of the number of devices connection to the internet necessitates eventual switchover to IPv6 to ensure the sustained growth and development of the World Wide Web. The primary distinguishing feature of IPv6 is its virtually unlimited address space as well as the flexibility to facilitate persistent proliferation of the Internet into the near future. The IPv6 uses 128 bits which has the possibility to accommodate 340 billion billion (340 undecillion) unique addresses. Hence as a part of every workable solution, IPv6 delivers unlimited address space which is geared to cater the burgeoning demand growth in network connectivity. The IPv6 is in eight 16-bit blocks, represented in a hexadecimal notation. Since the address space allocation is very immense with a lot of unique addresses possible, network service providers can be assigned considerably more blocks of addresses which facilitates them to service a larger pool of customers. (Johnson, 2011)

This is important since with every passing day not only more people are getting connected to the internet, but also from a wide range of devices including wireless and handheld devices. Within IPv6, address blocks are characteristically assigned in 48-bit blocks as against 16-bit blocks in IPv4. As IPv6 allows 128-bits to work upon, this allows allocation of complete 16-bit to be used to designate subnet addresses and also a whopping 64-bit for individual host addresses. Hence more than 200 trillion blocks of a lot many trillions more unique addresses are possible for allocation. This unique advantage equips ISPs, Govts, MNCs and Universities to allocate themselves virtually unlimited address space ushering the sustained growth of the Internet helping online transaction more secure. IPv6 also provides several enhancements to the present Internet experience over its previous avatar which seems impossible within the present IPv4 framework. Embedded security features and optimised transmission of huge amounts of data, the maximum expected characteristics of IPv6 is all set to transform the Internet into a secured universe and lend the user an experience where enriched content can be distributed and consumed. (Johnson, 2011)

Transitioning challenges to IPv6 confronting industry and Govt: