IPv4 & IPv6 are both IP addresses that are binary numbers. IPv4 is 32-bit binary number while IPv6 is 128 bit binary number address. IPv4 address are separated by periods while IPv6 address are separated by colons.
|
Basis for
differences |
IPv4 |
IPv6 |
|
Size of IP address |
IPv4 is a 32-Bit IP Address. |
IPv6 is 128 Bit IP Address. |
|
Addressing method |
IPv4 is a numeric address, and its binary
bits are separated by a dot (.) |
IPv6 is an alphanumeric address whose binary
bits are separated by a colon (:). It also contains hexadecimal. |
|
Number of header fields |
12 |
8 |
|
Length of header filed |
20 |
40 |
|
Checksum |
Has checksum fields |
Does not have checksum fields |
|
Example |
12.244.233.165 |
2001:0db8:0000:0000:0000:ff00:0042:7879 |
|
Type of Addresses |
Unicast, broadcast, and multicast. |
Unicast, multicast, and anycast. |
|
Number of classes |
IPv4 offers five different classes of IP
Address. Class A to E. |
lPv6 allows storing an unlimited number of
IP Address. |
|
Configuration |
You have to configure a newly installed
system before it can communicate with other systems. |
In IPv6, the configuration is optional,
depending upon on functions needed. |
|
VLSM support |
IPv4 support VLSM (Virtual Length Subnet
Mask). |
IPv6 does not offer support for VLSM. |
|
Fragmentation |
Fragmentation is done by sending and
forwarding routes. |
Fragmentation is done by the sender. |
|
Routing Information Protocol (RIP) |
RIP is a routing protocol supported by the
routed daemon. |
RIP does not support IPv6. It uses static routes. |
|
Network Configuration |
Networks need to be configured either
manually or with DHCP. IPv4 had several overlays to handle Internet growth,
which require more maintenance efforts. |
IPv6 support autoconfiguration capabilities. |
|
Best feature |
Widespread use of NAT (Network address
translation) devices which allows single NAT address can mask thousands of
non-routable addresses, making end-to-end integrity achievable. |
It allows direct addressing because of vast
address Space. |
|
Address Mask |
Use for the designated network from host portion. |
Not used. |
|
SNMP |
SNMP is a protocol used for system
management. |
SNMP does not support IPv6. |
|
Mobility & Interoperability |
Relatively constrained network topologies to
which move restrict mobility and interoperability capabilities. |
IPv6 provides interoperability and mobility
capabilities which are embedded in network devices. |
|
Security |
Security is dependent on applications - IPv4
was not designed with security in mind. |
IPSec(Internet Protocol Security) is built
into the IPv6 protocol, usable with a proper key infrastructure. |
|
Packet size |
Packet size 576 bytes required,
fragmentation optional |
1208 bytes required without fragmentation |
|
Packet fragmentation |
Allows from routers and sending host |
Sending hosts only |
|
Packet header |
Does not identify packet flow for QoS
handling which includes checksum options. |
Packet head contains Flow Label field that
specifies packet flow for QoS handling |
|
DNS records |
Address (A) records, maps hostnames |
Address (AAAA) records, maps hostnames |
|
Address configuration |
Manual or via DHCP |
Stateless address autoconfiguration using
Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) or DHCPv6 |
|
IP to MAC resolution |
Broadcast ARP |
Multicast Neighbour Solicitation |
|
Local subnet Group management |
Internet Group Management Protocol GMP) |
Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) |
|
Optional Fields |
Has Optional Fields |
Does not have optional fields. But Extension
headers are available. |
|
IPSec |
Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)
concerning network security is optional |
Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) Concerning
network security is mandatory |
|
Dynamic host configuration Server |
Clients have approach DHCS (Dynamic Host
Configuration server) whenever they want to connect to a network. |
A Client does not have to approach any such
server as they are given permanent addresses. |
|
Mapping |
Uses ARP(Address Resolution Protocol) to map
to MAC address |
Uses NDP(Neighbour Discovery Protocol) to
map to MAC address |
|
Combability with mobile devices |
IPv4 address uses the dot-decimal notation.
That's why it is not suitable for mobile networks. |
IPv6 address is represented in hexadecimal,
colon- separated notation. IPv6 is better suited to mobile networks. |
IPv4 and IPv6 cannot
communicate with other but can exist together on the same network. This is
known as Dual Stack.
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