IPv4 vs IPv6: Which Is Faster?

■ What Is IP?

IP as defined in Internet Protocol stands for all the networks that communicate with each other. It garages every device with an exclusive IP address known as an IP address to make it identifiable. This routing is achieved by giving an identity to each device and allowing them to send packets of data to their destinations.

Two major IP versions on the internet: The two most commonly used IP versions on the internet are IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). In this guide, we will focus on the differences between the 4th and the 6th versions, including their technical aspects, and also delve into the question that many people voice—IPv6 is faster than IPv4; is that true?

■ What Is IPv4?

The IPv4 address space, or what is called IP version 4, has been so far the most productive spanning of the internet. It was brought into the life as an alternative to the data network in 1981, and its size is 32-bit, which allows the creation of about four billion addresses. Every single IPv4 address looks something like this: 192.168.0.1.

Key Features of IPv4:

• Address format: Decimal and dot separated (such as 192.149.252.76)

• Address types: Unicast, broadcast, and multicast

• Configuration: Manually or with the use of DHCP

Now, everything is supported by almost all the systems in the universe.

Drawbacks of IPv4:

Because of the number of connected devices to the internet, IPv4 address issued has increased. The answer to this has been addressed with the help of NAT but not without increasing complexity and reducing contact between the devices.

Perhaps the most important thing that distinguishes IPv4 from IPv6 is the limitation.

■ What Is IPv6?

IPv6, the cohort IP version 6, was created in the hope that it would address the absence of addresses in IPv4. It employs the use of 128-bit hexadecimal instead of Internet protocol version 6 address, which enables a superset count of unique IP addresses. To precise, the number would be 2^128 or roughly 340 undecillion addresses.

A typical IPv6 address looking like that: 3ffe:1900:fe21:4545:0000:0000:0000:0000.

Key Features of IPv6:

• Address format: Alpha-numeric and separated by colons

• Address types: Single-format for unicast and multiplex for broadcasting, different from last one

• No NAT requirement; this is one of the prime conveniences of end-to-end connectivity.

• Gives support to stateless autoconfiguration and mobile IP.

• Increased security with mandatory IPsec in addition to confidentiality.

It is important that you understand the need for such fundamental changes in structure, security, and expandability by carrying out the necessary research on any of these or similar questions included in this text.

■ IP Version 6 vs. IP Version 4: Main Differences

A table figure that indicates the similarities and differences between the two protocols has been formed below so that you will find it easier to compare the two networks:

The difference between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses is not merely in the number of addresses. IPv6 makes addressing different devices more natural and convenient and makes routing simpler.

■ IPv6 vs. IPv4: Speed Comparison

Although this is an area for most commonly debated, the question in many articles reads ‘is IPv6 faster than IPv4’ or vice versa.

Reasons Why IPv6 May be Faster:

• Elimination of NAT overhead: Due to NAT, IPv6 allows closer and more direct contact with less computing time in addition to more effective connection.

• Altered header world: The headers of IPv6 are larger (40 bytes, but only 20 bytes for IPv4). However, in spite of their length, the headers of IPv6 are simpler than the headers of IPv4, making it much easier to decide on routes and to parse.

• Traffic routing in IPv6: IPv6 provides hierarchical delegate addresses and routing merging, which accelerates the routing and traffic speed in the large network.

Real World Speed Tests:

Datacenters have carried out numerous testing and real ISPs test; websites load on an average of 5-15% faster from IPv6 than IPv4 in the best situations. However, this might really depend on:

• The type of IPv6 infrastructure used by your ISP.

• Paths for DNS resolution.

• The index level of server-side IPv6 optimization.

In the end, I believe that, when it comes to speed of IPv6 vs IPv4, the differences are marginally visible in the real world, and changing to IPv6 takes longer than the initial predictions.

■ Coexistence and Transition of IPv4 with IPv6.

Many networks today operate in dual-stack mode, meaning they support both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously. This is essential during the transition period.

Can IPv4 and IPv6 Communicate Directly?

No, that is not possible. IPv4 and IPv6 are different systems, this means that they cannot communicate straight without tunneling mechanisms or translating layers like NAT64 or dual-stack devices.

Can IPv4 and IPv6 coexist?

Certainly, IPv4 and IPv6 working together do have a synergistic effect. The dual-stack tells devices what IPv4 or IPv6 protocol to use, allowing devices to handle either kind of packet. With the increase of IPv6 adoption, this reduces the complexity of migration.

■ IPv4 to IPv6: The Transformation That Should Be Inevitable

Although IPv4 continues to be functional, history cannot allow for it as being a long term option. Indeed, with the explosive spread of smart homes, internet of things, connected devices and cloud services, IPv6 is positively crucial. IPv6 has:

• Every possible address space

• Easy network management

• Automatic security features

• Improved services in respect of the new internet architecture.

Long term-wise, both the scientists and engineers all over the world will have to know the distinctions between IPv4 and IPv6 and plan accordingly.

■ Conclusion

If you are considering the speed of gaming, both on enterprise networks and IoT platforms, it is critical that you fully understand the differences between IPv4 and IPv6.

Unlike just having more IP addresses, there are noticeable performance improvements, security, and multicasting capacity.

IPv4 is still used and in the limelight as dominator of the internet, nevertheless, the internet cannot grow in reaction to modern needs.

Ignoring IPv6 shows that IPv6 has a negligible speed advantage almost always, even though sometimes the difference may be seen between small-size traffic flow.

Ultimately, the transformation from IP version 4 to IP version 6 is inevitable as well as and it is very useful for the future of the internet.

James is a technical manager and associate at Zion Communication. 

Specializes in Optical Fiber communications,  FTTH Solutions, 

Fiber optic cables,  ADSS cable, and ODN networks.

james@zion-communication.com

+86 13777460328