IPv6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IPv6 - Essay Example The 32-bit addressing system employs packet switching to facilitate communication. IPv4 can thus be treated as an upgrade of IPV4, to improve the IP protocol system. There are a number of significant dereferences between the two protocols that will be essential in determining one’s choice for usage. Discussed below are the major differences: Address length- IPv4 is a 32 bit address while IPv6 is a 128 bit. This is the basic difference observable at a glance. These DNS names differ by a wide margin if compared by the number of addresses each can yield. In fact, to completely cover the IPv6 address, it is written in hexadecimal numbers as compared to IPv4 written in dotted decimal numbers. This forms of representation are all interpreted in form of binary numbers by the computers (Huitema, 1996). Packet header-generally, packet headers are always affixed at the start of Internet protocol addresses. It normally contains the address of the destination of a given packet. IPv4 has got packet headers only. This differs from IPv6 that has the header, although with more advanced functionalities. The header of IPv4 is 20 bits as compared to the 40 bits of IPv6. The advancement in the header allows addition of extension headers, a functionality not provided for by IPv4 computers (Huitema, 1996). Address resolution- the process of address resolution involves mapping of various IP addresses to the MAC address or rather, a link address. IPv4 employs the RFC 826. This is an Ethernet address resolution protocol. This resolution protocol has over the years exposed users to cyber threats because the protocol is within the link layer. IPv6 on the other hand makes use of Neighbor discovery Address resolution. Its protection is secured because the IPSec is employed to secure the connection in tunnel or transport mode (Amoss, & Minoli, 2008). Configuration- users of IPv4 have to ensure all configurations are done prior to internet usage. The IP address and routes