IPv6 transition – Pros & Cons
The Internet is a complex world. Data requested by the hosts is routed across various networks using an integral component called the Internet protocol address or the IP address. Currently, Internet protocol version 4.0 is in use.
This is a guest post by Diane Noe.
Every request is identified by a particular IP address. In simple terms every computer connected to the Internet has a unique IP address. Without this address it would be impossible to process the request. With the ever growing world of Internet, the need for more addresses will become inevitable. IPv4 will soon exhaust its quota of IP allocation. IPv6 will be the new Internet protocol address environment.
So what is IPv6?
IPv6 is the successor to IPv4; which has been revised many times before. This new series works in the same way as its predecessor. The main function of Internet protocol is to provide unique and numeric based key which identifies every computer on a network; which includes Internet, Intranet etc.
While the earlier version used 32 bit system, the current version will utilize 128-bit addresses. It is an important improvement over the earlier one.
But why shift towards the newer version?
Very soon the 4 billion (2^32) plus IPv4 addressees will get exhausted. A newer series is therefore imminent and inevitable. A 32-bit system can create limited unique addresses. Although Internet is still capable of providing newer addresses in the current series, but soon it will reach its saturation point. The 128 bit system will translate into 2^128 addresses, which will provide mind boggling numbers of IP addresses.
But there is a problem. The IPv6 transition will not be easy. This will take time and funds. Technicians and network administrators will have to undergo training and imbibe required skills. Interfaces, appliances, software and routers will have to be changed to support newer network.
However, in today’s world, both Internet protocols run together; which require special gateways to communicate with each other. The new Internet protocol is in its early stages; and it still has issues, which need to be sorted out before it can become a standard network protocol.
Delve Deeper: What is IPv6, what are its Conventions, Features & Advantages?
Author: This is a guest post and the author of this article is Diane Noe of – http://btdiamondip.com