The Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6: In Simple Terms

In today’s world, almost everyone uses the internet. Whether you're checking social media, watching a video, sending an email, or working from home, you’re connected to a vast network. But what makes the internet work? One of the most important things behind the scenes is something called an IP address.

IP addresses act like the “home address” of your device on the internet. Just like how mail needs your home address to get delivered to you, devices on the internet need IP addresses to send information to each other.

But did you know that there are two main types of IP addresses? These are IPv4 and IPv6. While these may sound complicated, we’re going to break them down into easy-to-understand parts.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers and sometimes letters, that identifies a device on the internet. Every device connected to the internet—whether it's your phone, computer, or even smart home devices like refrigerators—has its own IP address.

Think of it like the postal system. When you send a letter, you need to know the address of the person you're sending it to. Similarly, when your device sends or receives information from the internet, it uses an IP address to know where to send or receive data.

Introduction to IPv4 and IPv6

The two main versions of IP addresses are IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). These are just different "versions" of the same thing—kind of like how software gets updated over time.

• IPv4 is the older version, created in the early 1980s when the internet was just starting.
• IPv6 is the newer version, designed to solve some problems that came up as the internet grew bigger.

Let’s dive into the differences between them, why we needed IPv6, and what all of this means for you as a regular internet user.

IPv4: The Original Internet Protocol

IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol and was introduced in 1981. At the time, it seemed like a revolutionary way to allow computers to talk to each other over the internet.

IPv4 uses a 32-bit address system, which means there are a total of 4.3 billion unique IP addresses available. At first, this seemed like more than enough for the whole world.

Example of an IPv4 Address:

Here’s what an IPv4 address looks like:

• 192.168.1.1

This type of address is made up of four groups of numbers, separated by dots. Each group can be a number between 0 and 255. So, an IPv4 address always has this format: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX.

Problems with IPv4:

As more people around the world started using the internet and as more devices became internet-connected (think about how many smartphones, laptops, and smart home devices we have today), it became clear that 4.3 billion IP addresses wouldn’t be enough.

Imagine trying to have just 4.3 billion addresses for every home, office, and business in the world—it simply wasn’t going to be enough. That’s when experts started developing a new protocol: IPv6.

IPv6: The New and Improved Protocol

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the new version of the Internet Protocol, introduced in 1998. It was designed to solve the problem of running out of IP addresses and to improve some other aspects of how the internet works.

Unlike IPv4, which uses 32-bit addresses, IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses. This means there are so many possible IPv6 addresses that it’s almost impossible to run out. To be precise, IPv6 supports 340 trillion trillion trillion addresses!

Example of an IPv6 Address:

Here’s what an IPv6 address looks like:

• 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

IPv6 addresses are much longer than IPv4 addresses and are made up of eight groups of numbers and letters, separated by colons. Each group is made up of hexadecimal characters (which means it uses both numbers and letters).

Why Does IPv6 Matter?

• Unlimited Addresses: With so many available IP addresses, there’s no worry about running out. This means every device on earth, and potentially on other planets in the future, can have a unique address.
• Improved Efficiency: IPv6 is designed to be faster and more efficient at routing information, which means better internet performance in the long run.
• Enhanced Security: IPv6 has built-in security features that make it harder for hackers to intercept your connection. While IPv4 can be secured, IPv6 makes security easier and more reliable.

Key Differences Between IPv4 and IPv6

Why Was IPv6 Created?

When the internet was young, the number of connected devices was limited. Personal computers were not as common, mobile phones weren't yet internet-connected, and there were no smart devices like smart TVs, refrigerators, or even light bulbs.

But fast forward to today, and nearly every device we use is connected to the internet. Each of these devices needs its own unique IP address. From laptops and phones to smart thermostats and cars, there’s a huge demand for IP addresses.

This demand led to the creation of IPv6, which offers practically unlimited IP addresses to accommodate not just current devices, but also future technologies.

Why You Should Care:

You may not even realize it, but your devices are already using IPv6. Many internet service providers (ISPs) are slowly transitioning their networks to use IPv6, though IPv4 is still widely in use.

The switch to IPv6 ensures:

• Smoother Internet Experience: As the internet grows, IPv6 makes sure that everything keeps running smoothly.
• More Secure Connections: With IPv6, your data is safer because of the built-in security measures.
• Better Speed and Performance: IPv6 is optimized for faster communication between devices.

Real-Life Example: How Do You Benefit?

Most people don’t think about which version of IP they are using while browsing the web. But there are several ways the transition to IPv6 can make your internet experience better, even if you don’t notice it directly.

1. More Devices Can Connect

Think about how many devices you have at home connected to the internet: phones, tablets, smart TVs, laptops, security cameras, doorbells, and more. Imagine every household in Canada doing the same. Without IPv6, we could run out of addresses, making it harder for all these devices to connect. IPv6 ensures that every device can have its own unique address with no limitations.

2. Faster Speeds Over Time

IPv6 simplifies how data is routed from one point to another, making it more efficient. This can lead to faster internet connections, especially when everyone moves to IPv6 fully.

3. Built-in Security

IPv4 wasn’t originally built with security in mind. This is why extra security measures, like firewalls, are necessary to protect your data on IPv4. IPv6, on the other hand, has security features like IPsec built right in, meaning it’s harder for hackers to tamper with your data.

IPv4 and IPv6 Coexistence

Even though IPv6 is the future, IPv4 is still very common. Why? Because transitioning the entire internet to IPv6 is a huge task. Many websites, internet services, and devices are still using IPv4, while newer devices and systems are starting to use IPv6.

This is why we are currently in a “dual-stack” environment, where both IPv4 and IPv6 coexist. Your device might be using either one, depending on which is available. For now, most people won’t notice the difference, but over time, we’ll start to see more and more devices and services relying on IPv6.

Dual-Stack Networks: Using Both IPv4 and IPv6

With dual-stack networks, internet service providers and websites use both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, allowing them to communicate using the most efficient protocol. Your device might switch between the two without you even noticing, which allows a smoother transition from IPv4 to IPv6.

What Does This Mean for Canadians?

In Canada, many internet service providers (ISPs) are in the process of transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6. However, the process is gradual, and most users won’t notice a difference in their day-to-day internet activities.

Whether you're checking social media, streaming a video, or working from home, your device will continue to function as normal. The big change will happen behind the scenes, where the internet infrastructure is being updated to support the massive growth in connected devices.

The Importance of IPv6 for the Future

The internet is still growing. More people are getting connected every day, and more devices are becoming “smart.” This growth is only expected to increase as new technologies emerge.

With IPv6, we have the capacity to support:

• Billions of devices worldwide: From smartphones and tablets to smart homes and self-driving cars.
• Emerging technologies: As new devices and services come online, IPv6 ensures that we have the infrastructure to support them.
• Global Connectivity: IPv6 makes it easier for devices to communicate globally without running into the limitations of IPv4.

How to Check Your Own IP Address

Curious whether your device is using IPv4 or IPv6? You can easily check your IP address by visiting 2ip.ca. The site provides information about your current IP address, whether it's IPv4 or IPv6, and other details about your internet connection.

Conclusion

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6 might seem technical, but it’s all about ensuring the internet can continue to grow. While IPv4 served us well for decades, IPv6 is the future, offering more addresses, better performance, and improved security.

As a regular internet user, you don’t need to worry about these changes—your devices will continue to work as usual. But as the world becomes more connected, IPv6 will ensure that we can keep growing without any limitations.

If you want to learn more about your own IP address and how your device connects to the internet, visit 2ip.ca for a quick and easy test.