IP Addresses
Key Points
- Hosts send network packets using IP addresses.
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Each packet includes:
- Destination IP (receiver)
- Source IP (sender)
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Two types of IP addresses exist : IPv4 and IPv6
IPv4 vs IPv6
| Feature | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Address Size | 32-bit | 128-bit |
| Format | Decimal (e.g. 192.168.1.1) | Hexadecimal (e.g. 2001:db8::1) |
| Address Pool | Limited (~4.3 billion) | Extremely large |
| Adoption | Widely used (98–99%) | Limited usage |
| Features | Basic | Advanced & efficient |
Why IPv6 Is Not Widely Used ?
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NAT (Network Address Translation)
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Allows many devices to share one public IPv4 address.
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Reduces urgency to migrate to IPv6.
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Porting Challenges
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Requires updating systems, software, and infrastructure.
- Global transition is complex and slow.