The development of IPV6 has been prompted by the scarcity of available IPV4 addresses. IPV6 is designed to replace its predecessor, IPV4. According to IPv6 (2013), most internet traffic still relies on IPV4 in 2013, but due to the increasing number of devices connecting to the internet, there is a limited number of available IPV4 addresses.
The solution for managing the increased demand for internet addresses involves implementing IPv6, which offers a larger address space, improved traffic routing, and enhanced security.
IPv6 has both advantages and disadvantages. One benefit is its provision of more address space, particularly beneficial for larger businesses like Comcast. Additionally, it utilizes a 128-bit structure, making it more powerful than the current 32-bit structure of IPv4. Furthermore, IPv6 supports future internet connectivity on a larger scale.
In terms of address allocation, devices handle this task themselves. Moreover, there is support for security through Internet Protocol Security (IPsec).
IPv6 simplifies the process of connecting devices to the network for inexperienced users with its plug and play functionality. Manual setup is no longer necessary as configuration is automated. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Remembering IPv6 addresses can be challenging compared to the current addressing system. Transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 is not a seamless process and may cause compatibility issues. Machines that solely use IPv4 are not compatible with IPv6, requiring replacement and time-consuming conversion procedures. Additionally, residential internet service providers have not widely adopted IPv6. To encourage preparation for the eventual exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and ensure a smooth transition, major organizations participated in “World IPv6 Day”, enabling IPv6 on their main websites in June 2011. This initiative aimed to inspire ISP providers, hardware manufacturers, operating system vendors, and web companies to ready their services for the switch to IPv6.
The current situation for IPv6 is similar to the process of buying a car. Like technology, IPv6 improves and becomes more affordable over time. People wait for prices to decrease before purchasing, just as they refrain from adopting IPv6 until it becomes more accessible. However, this approach proves disadvantageous if adoption of IPv6 is limited to oneself, as it offers minimal benefits in such cases. The utilization of the new protocol is only feasible once other communication partners also upgrade. It’s important to note that complete elimination of IPv4 relies on universal adoption of IPv6 by all those you communicate with.
Opinions on the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 vary. Some people want a quick switch, while others plan to stick with IPv4 until it is no longer usable. Financial concerns prevent certain organizations from adopting IPv6 due to perceived costs. Moreover, there are security concerns about IPv6 based on previous instances of discovering vulnerabilities. Enabling IPv6 could potentially lead to unauthorized network access through tunneling and network address translation (NAT) without the knowledge of the network administrator.
References:
IPv6 (2013) Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6#cite_note-1
IPv6: Advantages and Disadvantages (2012) Course: IPv6. Retrieved from: http://bgrevert.blogspot.com/2012/03/ipv6-advantages-and-disadvantages.html
World IPv6 Day is an event organized by Cisco. Details about the event can be accessed on their website.
