IPv4 vs. IPv6 : Ip (Network) Protocols are not only unique to modems or routers. Through these protocols, we can provide network communication on the internet. Through general protocols we can experience different features.

IPv4 vs IPv6 – IP (Network) Protocols

✔️ IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) ➡️ 32 Bit Addressing

✔️ IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) ➡️ 128 Bit Addressing

In the world of Internet and network communication, we come across 2 types of network protocols. These are IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) and Ipv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6). Ipv4, one of these protocols, performs 32-bit addressing. It is ranked as the choice of especially large modem and router companies all over the world. IPv6 Protocol will offer 128bit addressing. Developed as a competitor to IPv4, the IPv6 protocol provides access to a more secure internet.

What are the Network Protocols Commonly Used in Modems and Routers?

▶️PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) -> The type used for many DSL-VDSL connections and Dial-up connections.

▶️PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)-> A protocol that provides authentication through the ISP. Generally used for DSLs. One of the most common protocols.

▶️DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)-> Used to manage the IP address assigned by modems. It allows modems to manage IP address assignment.

▶️NAT (Network Address Translation) -> It is a protocol that manages to deliver the devices in your local network to the internet with a single public IP address.

▶️DNS (Domain Name System)-> It connects your website domain name to its IP address through DNS management. Thus, the website connects to the internet with its domain name, not its IP address.

▶️TCP (Transmission Control Protocol -> A protocol used for secure data transfer. It is frequently used in modems.

▶️UDP (User Datagram Protocol)-> Used for fast but unreliable data transmission. It provides fast data transmission in many respects, but on the other hand, it provides a data transmission that is uneasy about its security. It may make you hesitate to choose it.

▶️ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol)-> A protocol used for diagnostic purposes on the network. For example, it is used for ‘ping’ diagnostics.

▶️SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)-> Used to manage devices connected to your network. Thanks to its use, it implements a different system.

What is the difference : IPv4 vs IPv6

The two most basic IP protocols make our network management easier. The IPv4 protocol will provide an estimated 4.3 billion unique IP addresses in 2³². Thus, the problem of address scarcity is eliminated. However, as the world of the Internet grows dramatically every day, IPv4 has become inadequate and a different technology has been sought to support it.

The IPv6 protocol, which emerged in the face of the inadequacy of IPv4, will provide 340 trillion unique addresses with another estimated rate of 2¹²⁸. Thus, one of the biggest problems, address scarcity, was eliminated. More security is provided, and the automatic IP feature simplifies all operations. The management of very large networks has become significantly easier.

Modems and routers used today provide both IPv4 and IPv6 protocol support. Users have not fully migrated to IPv6. The proportional IPv6 usage rate of the world is low. However, this rate is increasing day by day thanks to new routers and modems. At the same time, internet infrastructure providers support this process and develop their infrastructure accordingly. The competition between IPv4 vs IPv6 is increasing every day.

Detailed information about IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)

💡 General information

Introduced and introduced in 1981.
Produces 32-bit addressing.
It has stood the test of time, providingan estimated 4.3 billion (2³²) unique IP addresses.
It provides presentation using dotted-decimal notation. Take for example 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
It has been supported by modem and router manufacturers for many years and is still in use.

🛑Disadvantages of IPv4

IPv4 addresses are exhausted, so address sharing is done using NAT (Network Address Translation). IPv4 has now exhausted addresses with the increase in internet usage around the world. Therefore, the use of special NAT (Network Address Translation) has been switched and thus support has been obtained from the address sharing option.
It is insufficient in terms of security. It is recommended to use IPSec (secure IP communication).
Manual IP assignment is possible. However, it is quite difficult to do this manually. Therefore, it is seen as weak in terms of management.

✅ Advantages of IPv4

It is the most widely used IP protocol worldwide. It is the most widely used IP protocol in the world.
Almost all devices support IPv4 as a network protocol.
Internet service providers (ISPs) actively use IPv4 for the necessity of the Internet world. It is still actively used even though the transition process is ongoing.

Detailed information about IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)

💡 General Information

Developed in 1998, but it was only widely used in the early 2000s. Many internet service providers started using this protocol in the 2000s. However, it was first developed in 1998 and made available to the whole world.
It has a 128-bit addressing capability.
It uses 2¹²⁸, in other words 340 trillion unique IPs.
It distinguishes itself by using hexadecimal notation. Example : 2003:0bo8:95a4:0000:0000:0000:9c2a:0944:9224
Its automatic IP assignment feature differentiates its addressing capability.

✅ Advantages of IPv6

It defines unlimited IP addresses and thus eliminates problems such as running out of addresses.
Provides higher security; IPSec (secure communication) is mandatory. It provides a high level of security. IPSec is not optional but mandatory in this protocol. Thus, it provides high security thanks to its high bit rate.
It provides fast and efficient management of internet traffic. It increases efficiency thanks to its routing structure.
It does not need DHCP thanks to automatic addressing (SLAAC).
It hasa more efficient routing structure, so internet traffic is managed faster and more efficiently.
Provides automatic addressing (SLAAC) without the need for DHCP.

🛑 Disadvantages of IPv6

Not as common as IPv4, so some older devices may not support IPv6. Older devices do not support IPv6. This is a big obstacle to its widespread use. However, ISPs are introducing IPv6 supported modems for this situation and directing users.
The transition process may require large costs. Therefore, it will take quite a long time for the transition.
IPv6 has a long address structure. Reading and memorizing is difficult for us humans.

Compafrison table about IPv4 vs IPv6

IPv4 vs. IPv6: The Evolution of Internet Connectivity

Transition to IPv6 in the FUTURE

In the future, the internet will completely switch to IPv6. This will make the internet world both more secure and faster.

Mobile devices have accelerated to support 5G technology. This technological attack has accelerated the transition to the IPv6 process.

At the same time, cloud computing and datacenters have greatly increased their capacity, accelerating the transition process.

Government policies have also made the transition to IPv6 mandatory. Although the transition process is painful, we are sure that it will put the internet process on a very different path.