Why Use IPv6 vs IPv4?
The primary reason to make the change is due to IPv6 addressing. IPv4 is based on 32-bit addressing, limiting it to a total of 4.3 billion addresses. IPv6 is based on 128-bit addressing and can support 340 undecillion, which is 340 trillion3 addresses. Having more addresses has grown in importance with the expansion of smart devices and connectivity. IPv6 provides more than enough globally unique IP addresses for every networked device currently on the planet, helping ensure providers can keep pace with the expected proliferation of IP-based devices.
In addition to addressing, IPv6 benefits include:
- Stateless address autoconfiguration
- Optional NAT (Network Address Translation)
- Easier administration with DHCPv6
- Improved quality of service with flow labeling