IPv4 vs IPv6 –

Di!erence Between
Them
Lawrence Williams April 1, 2023

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Key Di!erences between IPv4 and

IPv6

IPv4 is a 32-Bit IP address, whereas IPv6

is a 128-Bit IP address.
IPv4 is a numeric addressing method,
whereas IPv6 is an alphanumeric
addressing method.
IPv4 binary bits are separated by a dot(.),
whereas IPv6 binary bits are separated
by a colon(:).
IPv4 o!ers 12 header fields, whereas
IPv6 o!ers 8 header fields.
IPv4 supports broadcast, whereas IPv6
doesn’t support broadcast.
IPv4 has checksum fields while IPv6
doesn’t have checksum fields
When we compare IPv4 and IPv6, IPv4
supports VLSM (Variable Length Subnet
Mask), whereas IPv6 doesn’t support
VLSM.
IPv4 uses ARP (Address Resolution
Protocol) to map to MAC address,
whereas IPv6 uses NDP (Neighbour
Discovery Protocol) to map to MAC
address.

IPv4 vs IPv6

In this IPv4 vs IPv6 tutorial,

you will learn:

What is IP?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a
numerical label assigned to each device
connected to a computer network that uses
the IP protocol for communication. An IP
address acts as an identifier for a specific
device on a particular network. The IP
address is also called an IP number or
Internet address.

IP address specifies the technical format of

the addressing and packets scheme. Most
networks combine IP with a TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol). It also
allows developing a virtual connection
between a destination and a source.

Now in this IPv4 and IPv6 di!erence tutorial,

we will learn What is IPv4 and IPv6?

What is IPv4?
IPv4 is an IP version widely used to identify
devices on a network using an addressing
system. It was the first version of IP deployed
for production in the ARPANET in 1983. It uses
a 32-bit address scheme to store 2^32
addresses which is more than 4 billion
addresses. It is considered the primary
Internet Protocol and carries 94% of Internet
tra!ic.

What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the most recent version of the
Internet Protocol. This new IP address
version is being deployed to fulfill the need
for more Internet addresses. It was aimed to
resolve issues that are associated with IPv4.
With 128-bit address space, it allows 340
undecillion unique address space. IPv6 is also
called IPng (Internet Protocol next
generation).

Internet Engineer Taskforce initiated it in

early 1994. The design and development of
that suite are now called IPv6.

Features of IPv4
Following are the features of IPv4:

Connectionless Protocol
Allow creating a simple virtual
communication layer over diversified
devices
It requires less memory, and ease of
remembering addresses
Already supported protocol by millions
of devices
O!ers video libraries and conferences

Features of IPv6
Here are the features of IPv6:

Hierarchical addressing and routing

infrastructure
Stateful and Stateless configuration
Support for quality of service (QoS)
An ideal protocol for neighboring node
interaction

Di!erences between IPv4

and IPv6 Addresses
Here is the main di!erence between IPv4 and
IPv6:

Basis for
IPv4 IPv6
di!erences

Size of IP IPv4 is a 32-Bit

IPv6 is 128 Bi
address IP Address.

IPv4 is a
numeric
IPv6 is an alp
Addressing address, and
binary bits ar
method its binary bits
also contains
are separated
by a dot (.)

Number of
12 8
header fields

Length of
20 40
header filed

Has checksum
Checksum Does not hav
fields

Example 12.244.233.165 2001:0db8:00

Unicast,
Type of
broadcast, and Unicast, mul
Addresses
multicast.

IPv4 o!ers five

di!erent
Number of lPv6 allows s
classes of IP
classes of IP Address
Address. Class
A to E.

You have to
configure a
newly installed
system before In IPv6, the c
Configuration
it can depending u
communicate
with other
systems.

IPv4 support
VLSM (Variable
VLSM support IPv6 does no
Length Subnet
mask).

Fragmentation
is done by
Fragmentation sending and Fragmentatio
forwarding
routes.

RIP is a routing
Routing protocol
RIP does not
Information supported by
routes.
Protocol (RIP) the routed
daemon.

Networks need
to be
configured
either
manually or
with DHCP.
Network IPv4 had IPv6 support
Configuration several capabilities.
overlays to
handle Internet
growth, which
require more
maintenance
e!orts.

Widespread
use of NAT
(Network
address
translation)
devices which
allows single
It allows dire
NAT address
Best feature vast address
can mask
Space.
thousands of
non-routable
addresses,
making end-to-
end
integrity
achievable.

Use for the

designated
Address Mask Not used.
network from
host portion.

SNMP is a
protocol used
SNMP SNMP does n
for system
management.

Relatively
constrained
network
IPv6 provide
topologies to
Mobility & mobility
which move
Interoperability capabilities w
restrict
network dev
mobility and
interoperability
capabilities.

Security is
dependent on
applications – IPSec(Interne
Security IPv4 was not into the IPv6
designed with a proper key
security in
mind.

Packet size 576

bytes required, 1208 bytes re
Packet size
fragmentation fragmentatio
optional

Allows from
Packet
routers and Sending host
fragmentation
sending host

Does not
identify packet
flow for QoS Packet head
Packet header handling which that specifies
includes handling
checksum
options.

Address (A)
DNS records records, maps Address (AAA
hostnames

Stateless add
Address Manual or via
using Interne
configuration DHCP
version 6 (ICM

IP to MAC
Broadcast ARP Multicast Nei
resolution

Local subnet Internet Group

Group Management Multicast List
management Protocol GMP)

Has Optional Does not hav

Optional Fields
Fields Extension he

Internet
Protocol
Security
Internet Prot
(IPSec)
IPSec Concerning n
concerning
mandatory
network
security is
optional

Clients have
approach
DHCS
(Dynamic Host
Dynamic host A Client does
Configuration
configuration such server a
server)
Server addresses.
whenever they
want to
connect to a
network.

Uses
ARP(Address
Resolution Uses NDP(Ne
Mapping
Protocol) to to map to MA
map to MAC
address

IPv4 address
uses the dot-
decimal IPv6 address
Combability
notation. hexadecimal
with mobile
That’s why it is IPv6 is better
devices
not suitable for networks.
mobile
networks.
IPv4 and IPv6 cannot communicate with
other but can exist together on the same
network. This is known as Dual Stack.

What is the Di!erence

Between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 & IPv6 are both IP addresses that are
binary numbers. IPv4 is a 32-bit binary
number, and IPv6 is a 128-bit binary number
address. IPv4 addresses are separated by
periods, while IPv6 addresses are separated
by colons.

Both IP addresses are used to identify

machines connected to a network. In
principle, they are almost similar, but they
are di!erent in how they work.

Is IPv4 or IPv6 better?

IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet
Protocol (IP), while IPv6 is the most recent
version of the Internet Protocol. Therefore,
IPv6 is more advanced, secure, and faster
compared to IPv4.

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