Understand Ipv6 (The New Generation) Addressing

The new Internet Protocol version 6 has many benefits over the version 4 that was in use until just recently. The biggest difference between the two protocols is bigger address-space in the new version. This addressing space has information that is vital to the route packets for the Internet of things. IPv6 is capable of providing a unique address to each device that connects to the Internet unlike what the case was in IPv4. IPv4 was based on a 32-bit address space. On the other hand, IPv6 is based on a 128-bit address space which gives it more capabilities. Also, IPv6 can support both 3.4W1038 and 2128 IP addresses. IPv4 did not come even close to this. SD WAN makes the use of IPv6 very beneficial.

Understand Ipv6 (The New Generation) Addressing

What Types of IPv6 Exists?

IPv6 can be put tinting three major categories as follows;

  • Unicast Addresses; these ones are identifiers for single interfaces (each one identifies a single interface).
  • Multicast Addresses; these ones identify multiple interfaces or groups of interfaces.
  • Anycast Addresses; these ones identify any type of interface even those belonging to different nodes.

Why IPv6 is Important

IPv6 was thought up due to various reasons the main one of which is the increase in the need for IP addresses. Each device going online is in need of a unique IP address. Smartphones, tablets and even modern watches all need IP addresses. For this reason, IPv6 was created to make it easy to provide the IP addresses and allow everyone access the Internet with ease. The other reason is that, when one is translating an address, they can be sure that IPv6 will allow them the space they need to translate the address.

Also, there is the increase in the level of discontinuousness of the network with most networks relying on going through one network to access the other. IPv6 makes this aspect very easy to the users. It is also obvious that IPv6 has brought with it lots of security measures to keep the users safe when surfing the Internet. With the increase in the number of hackers, it is a welcome feature. IPv4 has also made it better to prioritize data when using the Internet. Lastly, IPv6 eliminates the use of manual configurations and automates the whole process and thus effectively ushers the Internet into the new age.

How IPv6 Differs from IPv4

Jumping from IPv4 to IPv6 introduced many welcome changes we shall deal with here.

  • The larger space in IPv6 allows for the allocation of many more bits and addresses than before.
  • IPv6 also eliminates the need for the NAT thus allowing the users to directly reach out to one another.
  • The header in IPv6 has been simplified such that all the important parts of the address are placed at the end of the IPv6.
  • Automatic configuration eliminates the need for a DHCP server to connect to the Internet.

These and many other factors make the use of IPv6 a no-brainer for Internet users. When it becomes implemented fully, it will make Internet use much better.

Categories: Computers & Tech
Tags: IPv6, SD WAN