Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is an internet layer protocol developed in the 1990s as a successor to IPv4. Based on a 32-bit system when first deployed in 1981, IPv4 provided 4.3×109 (approximately 4 billion) addresses, which was thought to be sufficient at that time.
However, the advent of PCs and mobile devices has rapidly diminished the number of available addresses. To underscore this, the very last five IPv4 address blocks were allocated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to the five global Regional Internet Registries (RIR) for redistribution on January 31, 2011. |
The new internet protocol, IPv6, is based on a 128-bit system, and will provide 3.4×1038 or approximately 340 trillion trillion trillion unique addresses – allowing virtually inexhaustible IPv6 addresses for the foreseeable future.
There are other improvements after one switches over to IPv6. One of the advantages would be enhanced network management that allows devices to have easy plug-and-play network access. There will also be an improved quality of service (QoS) that will result in more effective control of media and applications performance over networks What’s more, improved security through the built-in IPSec authentication and encryption will make it simpler for users to have greater control and security, as well as increase the reliability of their applications.
In order to facilitate the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, service providers, small and medium businesses and individuals should start considering and preparing for migration to IPv6. The main issue with IPv6, however, is that IPv6 is not backwards compatible with IPv4, and IPv4 systems cannot use IPv6 services or communicate with IPv6 hosts. This is an issue in which key industry players must strive to address as they begin deploying IPv6 in an effective and efficient manner before IPv4 becomes obsolete.
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