IPv4 vs IPv6: An Web Protocol Story

With the explosive development of linked units and solely so many IP addresses to go round, the web as we all know it may have floor to a halt a number of years in the past. Thankfully, IPv6 arrived simply in time to rescue the World Broad Internet.

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Earlier than I speak about why IP addresses are so vital for the way forward for your enterprise (and the web), let’s again up a little bit…

In 1798, English cleric and scholar Thomas Robert Malthus argued that exponential inhabitants development and arithmetic meals provide would result in catastrophic outcomes for the worldwide human inhabitants.

In different phrases, individuals would quickly outgrow their meals provide and begin wars.

Lower than 200 years later, we narrowly escaped a worldwide disaster of Malthusian proportions because the World Broad Internet ran out of IP addresses.

This was partly attributable to the exponential development of units demanding their very own IP tackle and solely a restricted provide of addresses being out there.

Fortunately, this story has a contented ending, as a bunch of know-how Jedi managed to intervene simply in time and save us from impending doom.

This, then, is the story of IPv6 and the rescue of our on-line world.

On this submit we cowl:

IPv6: What’s it and Why Do You Want it?
A Not So Lengthy Time In the past, In A Galaxy Not So Far, Far, Away…
The Downside: No Mounted (IP) Tackle
The Answer: IPv6
IPv4 vs IPv6 – Challenges
The Advantages Of Utilizing IPv6
Future-Proofing Your Internet Presence With IPv6
IPv6-Enabled Internet Internet hosting
340 Undecillion Causes To Use IPv6

Ta-ta-ta-taaa-taaah-ta-ta-taaaah-taaa…

IPv6: What’s it and Why Do You Want it?

An web protocol (IP) is the algorithm governing how packets are transmitted over a community.

IP addressing requires that each node of an Web Protocol community (e.g. a pc, router, or community printer) be assigned an IP tackle for every community interface.

This IP tackle is then used to find and establish the node in communications with different nodes on the community.

Translated from Aurebesh, this principally implies that each gadget on the web wants an IP tackle to speak to a different gadget.

A Not So Lengthy Time In the past, In A Galaxy Not So Far, Far, Away…

When the web was first conceived, nobody may foresee simply what number of units would find yourself having to speak to one another.

Till not too long ago, IPv4 was the core protocol used to group and transmit knowledge over the Web and it nonetheless routes most Web site visitors right now.

IPv4 makes use of a 32-bit tackle house, nonetheless, which limits the variety of distinctive hosts to simply below 4.3 billion addresses.

An instance of an IPv4 tackle.

The Downside: No Mounted (IP) Tackle

Now, 4.3 billion IP addresses might have appeared like lots when a billion nonetheless meant 1,000,000 hundreds of thousands (not one thousand million!), however take into account this:

Out of these 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses, giant blocks have been reserved for particular makes use of and have been unavailable for public allocation.

So, proper off the block, the block of publicly out there IP addresses was already diminished to about 3.7 billion IP addresses.

Aggravating this drawback is IPv4 tackle exhaustion, a situation the place the depletion of obtainable IP addresses had been anticipated because the Nineteen Eighties, when the commercialization of the web started in earnest.

A number of elements have aggravated this depletion, reminiscent of:

The inefficient allocation of way more addresses to organizations than really required.
The worldwide development of web connections which are all the time energetic and by no means switched off (e.g. broadband web entry).
And most importantly, after all – the expansion of cell units.

Cellphones are like some other gadget on the web, and likewise require an IP tackle with the intention to speak to different internet-enabled units.

You’ll be able to instantly see what the issue with IPv4 is when you think about the truth that 4.78 billion individuals have a cell phone.

So, already individuals have extra cellphones right now than there are distinctive IPv4 addresses out there for his or her units.

Take that with a pinch of salt and a grain of Malthus and also you’ve bought a whiskey dangerous recipe for catastrophe.

Customers worldwide with cellphones. Supply: https://www.bankmycell.com/weblog/how-many-phones-are-in-the-world.

Now, add all of the ‘sensible’ units within the IoT (Web of Issues) world that want their very own IP tackle too, and you’ll see now why the World Broad Internet may have simply been worn out by IPv4 tackle exhaustion (I’m fatigued simply writing about it).

And to assume that Malthus was solely anxious about people working out of meals.

Had he lived one other 150 years or so, he could be critically tossing and delivering his sleep as hundreds of thousands of future wannabe social influencers have been selfielessly denied entry to the final out there IP addresses.

Then, all the pieces modified…

The Answer: IPv6

The anticipated scarcity of IPv4 addresses led to the creation and adoption of a number of new applied sciences, together with community tackle translation (NAT), Classless Inter-Area Routing (CIDR), and IPv6.

Observe: In case you’re questioning “no matter occurred to IPv5?” (and IP variations 0 to three…).

Though IPv5 was developed as a method of streaming video and voice knowledge, and serving as a basis for the event of applied sciences reminiscent of voice-over-IP (VoIP).

It by no means grew to become an official protocol as a result of it used the identical 32-bit addressing as IPv4 – which suggests it might have suffered with the identical 32-bit limitations.

Successfully, IPv5 ran out of steam as IPv4 grew to become exhausted.

So far as the opposite IP variations go, in response to Wikipedia, IP variations 0 to three have been experimental variations (in response to Wookieepedia, nonetheless, the IPv1 is an Imperial patrol vessel designed to be very quick and maneuverable, nice for combating pirates, nevertheless it lacked a hyperdrive).

However I’ve digressed, so let’s get again on route…

The IPv6 protocol makes use of a 128-bit tackle and has eight segments separated by colons of 4 hexadecimal digits that may be any hexadecimal worth between 0 and FFFF.

Even if you happen to assume the above sentence feels like Astromech Binary, you’ll be able to inform simply by an IPv6 tackle that it’s a lot greater and extra highly effective than IPv4…

IPv4 vs IPv6 … BeeYoop BeeDeepBoom Weeop!

How a lot greater is IPv6 than IPv4 you ask?

If you happen to have been to distribute $4.3 billion to each man, girl, and baby in Canada, they’d get lower than $120 every. That’s pish-posh dosh. So…4.3 billion? Pffft.

IPv6, nonetheless, with its 128-bit tackle house permits for, watch for it…(stupidly large quantity alert:)  340 undecillion distinctive IP addresses. We’re speaking about 340 trillion trillion trillion IP addresses.

“If you happen to had a job that paid you 390 trillion {dollars} per hour (US) you would need to work 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 12 months per 12 months for just a bit lower than 100 quadrillion years to earn 340 undecillion {dollars}.”

Supply: ITDojo.com

If the thought of incomes that a lot cash makes you uncomfortable, let me put this into perspective:

Think about dwelling in a Star Wars universe full of a gazillion inhabitable planets the place octillion beings can all message one another’s units (“drink and chill? I do know this jazz bar in Tatooine”).

Droop for a second the truth that you’ll be able to land on any Star Wars planet, step out of your craft with out a helmet, and simply breathe usually.

Take into consideration all of the squillions of droids, clones, and sensible units that should exist all through the Galactic Empire. How are all of them speaking with one another?

Solely a choose chosen few can transmit packets of data throughout huge reaches of house utilizing “The Pressure.” Every little thing else should be utilizing another type of transmission protocol.

Heck, we’ve already ran out of IPv4 addresses right here on Earth even earlier than the launch of Apple Watch.  And we haven’t even tried to colonize Mars but.

With IPv6 offering trillions and trillions and trillions of IP addresses to all corners of the Galactic Empire, nonetheless, properly… that’s an entire different story.

IPv6…which sequel was he in?

IPv4 vs IPv6 – Challenges

Though IPv4 and IPv6 coexist on the Web (in contrast to stormtroopers and the Insurgent Alliance), they aren’t interoperable (it’s not a made-up phrase – it means they’re incompatible).

IPv4 and IPv6 can’t talk with one another however they’ll coexist on the identical community. This is called Twin Stack.

It’s Twin Stack…not Duel Stack!

The non-interoperability (one other non-made-up phrase to imply incompatible) between IPv4 and IPv6 creates challenges when utilizing sure functions and protocols.

For instance, IPv6 isn’t suitable with FTP and requires sure extensions and workarounds for information to switch efficiently.

The Advantages Of Utilizing IPv6

Earlier than we have a look at the way to arrange your internet hosting to make the most of IPv6, let’s take a short have a look at among the advantages of utilizing IPv6, and the principle variations between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

The principle good thing about utilizing IPv6 as we’ve got simply seen is having a considerably bigger pool of IP addresses out there.

340 billion billion billion billion IP addresses is nothing to sneeze at (there aren’t even sufficient human or Tauntaun noses in all of the universes to do this).

The distinction in dimension and magnitude between IPv6 and IPv4 (to not scale).

Picture by: foshjedi2004

One other good thing about IPv6 vs IPv4 in response to Lee Howard, is quicker velocity (not fairly the sunshine velocity of the Millennium Falcon, although.)

Right here’s a few enjoyable information about IPv6:

IPv4 addresses are separated by durations whereas IPv6 addresses are separated by colons.
IPv6 addresses might be compressed to remove main zeros.

Listed here are some examples of legitimate IPv6 (Regular) addresses:

2001 : db8: 3333 : 4444 : 5555 : 6666 : 7777 : 8888

2001 : db8 : 3333 : 4444 : CCCC : DDDD : EEEE : FFFF

: : (implies all 8 segments are zero)

2001: db8: : (implies that the final six segments are zero)

: : 1234 : 5678 (implies that the primary six segments are zero)

2001 : db8: : 1234 : 5678 (implies that the center 4 segments are zero)

2001:0db8:0001:0000:0000:0ab9:C0A8:0102 (This may be compressed to remove main zeros, as follows: 2001:db8:1::ab9:C0A8:102 )

Supply: ibm.com

Future-Proofing Your Internet Presence With IPv6

As all the pieces on this lonely planet of ours turns into network-connected, IPv6 is one thing you must undoubtedly care about – particularly if you happen to present any type of net companies or develop software program or {hardware}.

To use IPv6, you want an IPv6-compatible working system, a router with IPv6 help, and an ISP with IPv6 enabled.

You don’t want to take a seat in a swamp with Yoda educating you Jedi thoughts methods to check your IPv6 connectivity.

Now we have the web. Simply go to a web site like TestMyIPv6.com.

Take a look at your IPv6 connectivity at TestMyIPv6.com. Have IPv6? You both do or don’t.

Most fashionable desktop working techniques at the moment are suitable with IPv6. When shopping for a brand new router, be certain to test your router’s specs particulars to see if it helps IPv6.

Additionally, be certain your ISP has IPv6 arrange and enabled on their finish.

IPv6-Enabled Internet Internet hosting

Like Obi-Wan Kenobi educating younger Grasp Luke the way to take his first step into a bigger world, I’ve tried to point out you the significance of IPv6 in maintaining you linked to the world at giant.

Now, focus your thoughts, shut your eyes, and skim this subsequent sentence very fastidiously:

In terms of internet hosting your web site, select a internet hosting supplier that helps IPv6.

With WPMU DEV’s WordPress internet hosting, for instance, each web site you host with us receives its personal distinctive IPv6 tackle (not clones).

To acquire your distinctive IPv6 tackle, log into your member’s space, go to The Hub, and click on on Internet hosting.

In The Hub choose Internet hosting.

Choose your area, and click on on the ‘Handle’ icon.

WPMU DEV Internet hosting Hub – Handle

Subsequent, click on on Domains.

WPMU DEV Internet hosting Hub – Domains

This brings up the Domains display containing the settings it is advisable to add to your DNS data.

Use this Quad-A document for optionally available IPv6 help.

All it is advisable to do now could be copy and paste the IP tackle offered as an AAAA document in your DNS data and save to replace your settings.

Add your IPv6 tackle to an AAAA document.

Congrats! Your web site is now IPv6 prepared!

Your web site is now IPv6 suitable.

Observe: The AAAA document (additionally known as a Quad-A document) converts your area identify into its corresponding IPv6 tackle.

This document needs to be used along with the A document wherever attainable, because it represents the very best apply and may result in efficiency enhancements.

Go to our documentation part for an entire step-by-step tutorial on including an AAAA document to your DNS data.

340 Undecillion Causes To Use IPv6

We’ve already suffered sufficient from IPv4 exhaustion, so there’s no want to increase this saga any additional. Darth Malthus has been defeated.

The Galaxy has been saved. There’s a new hope for the web.

Because of IPv6, we now have sufficient IP addresses to prop up the Web spine and to proceed to develop, unfold, and awaken this drive to all network-connected units on this and plenty of different worlds.

Bear in mind this and you’ll grasp all it is advisable to know:

IPv6-enabled internet hosting select, it’s essential to.

If you happen to haven’t skilled WordPress internet hosting at gentle velocity but (give or take a number of parsecs), be a part of the WPMU DEV insurgent alliance by turning into a member right now.

With WMPU DEV internet hosting there’s no shared internet hosting, no shared IPs, and IPv6 is mechanically enabled and supported.

This retains your web site utterly remoted and separate from different websites whereas maintaining your enterprise digitally linked with the remainder of the galaxy.

Could the drive be with you and our internet hosting set you free.