Surfing the internet is one of the most frequent activities that is inevitable to the human race. With the internet, you can solve a lot of problems. Internet services on a mobile device are essential to students, workers, and the entire labor force. While some people find it useful in communicating with friends via the social media platform, others use it to acquire vital information for the improvement of their lifestyle. The internet service is also helpful in business transactions in that digital marketers can use the internet to promote their businesses. However, all device connected to the internet has unique digits that are given to them by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). These digits are known as the Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address assigned to a device by its internet host is meant for the device alone and cannot be allotted to another device. The IP address of a device gives a lot of information about internet service users. Today, I will be telling you all you need to know about an IP address, IPv4, IPv6, and their importance.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

An IP address is a unique set of digits that is dedicated to computers and other devices that are connected to the internet. The unique digit is a channel through which vital information about the user of the device. An IP address is like the home address of an individual, which reveals the personal and other cogent details about the person. The information is useful to system administrators, business owners, and other technical experts. The IP address is also used for communication purposes among the router, device, and host server.

Summary of IPv4 vs IPv6

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6 are highlighted in the table below.

Internet Protocol Version 4 address (IPv4)

IPv4 address, also known as Internet Protocol Version 4, is the most popular and widely by communication and technology companies. This type of IP address was introduced in 1983, and since then, it has been a vital tool that is efficient in identifying devices connected to a network. The addressing scheme used by IPv4 is 32-bit. Since its inception, IPv4 has generated more than 4 billion IP addresses. Today, IPv4 is used mainly by experts in the communication industry, with about 95% internet burdens on it. The IPv4 address has 12 header field and 20-60 header field length. It also has a checksum field and VLSM support features. Also, the IPv4 has no automatic configuration and direct P2P connection features. Furthermore, IPv4 offers users a connectionless protocol as well as a video library and audio conference. With the IPv4 address, you can easily remember your IP address.

Types of IPv4 address

1. Unicast Address

A unicast address is an address that directly decodes a unique node on a network. It can be used in sending and receiving information only.

2. Broadcast Address

The broadcast address is a type of IPv4 address in which datagram is received by devices that are connected to the multiple-access communication. These datagrams include the TCP/IP and UDP packets.

3. Multicast Address

Multicast address is a link layer that identifies host a network system that can process frames and datagram intended for a particular network service.

Advantages of IPv4

1. It offers users video libraries and conferences.

2. It is simple when compared to other internet protocols.

3. Users of IPv4 can create a virtual communication layer with different devices.

4. IPv4 addresses are supported by a lot of devices, unlike other internet protocols.

Disadvantages of IPv4

1. Limited Address Space

The IPv4 address offers users a limited address space, which results in the reduction of public addresses. This deficiency has made users opt for the use of Network Address Translation (NAT) to share the public IPv4 address of a device with other private devices.

2. Flat routing Infrastructure

Nowadays, the internet has advanced to the use of both flat and hierarchical routings. However, the use of flat routing only is one of the major setbacks of this type of IP address. In this case, the connected device IP address prefixes are assigned, and they become a new route in the internet backbone routing tables.

3. Security

The built-in IPsec of the IPv4 addresses does not support all applications. This subjects the unsupported applications to other security schemes available.

4. Configuration

The assignment type used by the IPv4 address is the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP). This DHCP must be configured before it can be used to administer networks. This makes the assignment of IP address to devices slower.

5. Mobility

The phenomena whereby a device's address is changed as its physical attachment is altered while the connection remains the same is one of the new features of internet-connected devices. The IPv4 address lacks this feature. Hence, the device's address does not maintain the same address after the device is changed.

Internet Protocol Version 6 address (IPv6)

IPv6, also known as Internet Protocol Version 6, is a network protocol through which communication and data transfer are carried out on the internet. IPv6 was introduced in 1998 to take over the function of IPv4. The IPv6 is 128-bit and contains eight unique digits. Each string of the IPv6 digits is contained for numeric characters. It has eight header fields and forty header field length. Also, IPv6 has no checksum field and VLSM support. Furthermore, it has a built-in IPsec and neighbors discovery protocol. Also, it has direct P2P connections and automatic configuration features. IPv6 has hierarchical addressing, routine infrastructure, quality service support, and stateful and stateless configuration features.

Types of IPv6 address

1. Unicast Address

The unicast address is a type of IPv6 that directly involves a single sender and a single receiver. It is used to identify the unique node on the internet.

2. Multicast Address

The multicast address serve as a destination for the datagram. It involves a set of IP devices.

3. Anycast Address

This is a type of IPv6 address whereby a device's IP address has multiple routing points linked to more than two endpoints.

Advantages of IPv6

The IPv6 is useful to system administrators and other technical experts. The advantages of IPv6 include the following

1. IPv6 offers users a reliable internet service.

2. It increases internet speed.

3. It offers high routing efficiency to internet users.

4. IPv6 makes increases the reach of internet services to the user.

5. The IPv6 enhance end to end encryption.

6. It enhances customer's insight into internet services.

Disadvantages of IPv6

1. Acceptability

The IPv6 is currently facing a herculean challenge of popularity and acceptance. This is because most companies and internet outfits are presently using IPv4. Hence, IPv6 is not yet widespread and acceptable.

2. Communication

The IPv4 and IPv6 addresses lack access to link up with each other. To bridge the gap, you need to get equipment that can facilitate communication between them.

3. Transition

Switching between IPv4 and IPv6 cannot be done with little effort. To effect their switch over, you need to try it repeatedly and can take time.

4. Readability

The IPv6 subnetting feature is not easy to understand for users. Also, it is difficult to remember the IPv6 address.

5. Security

The IPv6 addresses have the built-in IPSec feature. With the built-in IPSec, users can access the authentication, confidentiality, and data integrity service of their device network.

Who can use the IPv4 and IPv6 address

The IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are useful to the following class of people

1. Home-based internet users

2. Data carriers

3. Technological and communication companies

4. System administrators

5. Network engineers.

Conclusion

Internet protocol address is a vital digit that can be used to elucidate information about the device connected to a hosting server. Discussed above is concise information about IP address, the types of IP addresses, differences between them, and other vital content that can familiarize and educate you about the device's unique digits.