IPv4 vs IPv6: What You Need to Know

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Discover the key differences between IPv4 and IPv6 and why transitioning to IPv6 is crucial for the future of the internet in the USA, UK, and Australia.

What are IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 and IPv6 are two versions of the Internet Protocol used to assign unique addresses to devices on the internet. IPv4 uses a 32-bit format (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 uses a 128-bit format (e.g., 2001:0db8::1).

IPv4 has been the standard for years, but IPv6 was introduced to address the shortage of available IP addresses.

Use our free tool to check if your device uses IPv4 or IPv6!

Key Differences Between IPv4 and IPv6

Here are the main differences between IPv4 and IPv6:

  • Address Space: IPv4 supports about 4.3 billion addresses, while IPv6 supports 340 trillion trillion addresses.
  • Format: IPv4 uses a dotted-decimal format (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 uses a colon-separated hexadecimal format (e.g., 2001:0db8::1).
  • Configuration: IPv6 supports automatic configuration, simplifying network setup compared to IPv4.

Why Transition to IPv6?

IPv6 offers enhanced security, better performance, and support for the growing number of connected devices. Transitioning to IPv6 ensures your network is future-ready.

Test your IP address now to see if it supports IPv6!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was IPv6 created?

IPv6 was developed to replace IPv4 due to the limited number of IPv4 addresses.

Is IPv6 faster than IPv4?

IPv6 can be faster due to simplified routing and no need for NAT, but it depends on network implementation.

How do I know if I’m using IPv6?

Use our IP lookup tool to check if your device is using an IPv6 address.