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IP Versions
What does IPv4 and IPv6 mean?
The v4 and v6 refers to version 4 and version 6 of the Internet Protocol addressing system, respectively. IPv4 is the original address standard. IPv6 is the new address standard. Right now both sets of addresses exist. In the future, the entire Internet plans on transitioning to only use the IPv6 address system. This transition to IPv6 address space is necessary because IPv4 is running out. IPv4 is projected to run out very soon - by about the end 2010. Thus it is wise for companies to learn about and start to use IPv6 so they are ready in advance. HE.Net offers free online training and certification for IPV6. Click here to find out more about the free HE IPv6 certification.
How does IPv4 work, and how is it different from an IPv6 address?
IPv4 addresses are expressed in dot decimal notation with four octets. For example, 74.125.45.100 is the IPv4 address of a server that runs Google search.
An IPv6 address is usually expressed in eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, each separated by a colon (:). For example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 is a valid IPv6 address.
Zeros can also be removed from an IPv6 address as a shortcut, so our our original example address can be condensed to 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334 and mean the same thing.
Why is the Internet changing to the IPv6 address system?
While the IPv4 address system is working okay right now, the number of possible addresses is being quickly exhausted. IPv4 has room for around unique 4 billion addresses. The original creators of the Internet just didn't
foresee every desktop, laptop, mobile phone and video game system connecting to this single network. To solve this address shortage, IPv6 was created
with the potential room for around 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 unique addresses.
How do I get an IPv6 address for my Internet Connection?
If you want an IPv6 address for your home's Internet connection, your
Internet Service Provider may be able to provide you with one. Some forward-thinking ISP's are giving their customers an IPv6 address automatically, but it's not a standard practice yet. You can test to see if you have an IPv6 address by trying typing in ipv6.google.com into your web browser and see if it connects. If it times out, you most likely don't have an IPv6 address.
As an alternate way you could get a free IPv6 address from HE.Net and
use their free tunnel broker. You can set this up to use IPv6
address space from any location that you set up your Internet
connection.
How do I get an IPv6 address for my web site?
If you want an IPv6 address for your web site, you will have to choose from a web hosting company that will provide you with one. Sadly, not all web hosting companies are prepared for the Internet's future. In fact, most budget web hosting companies just use a shared IPv4 address for all of their web sites. HE.Net provides all their web accounts including their budget web hosting plans a dedicated IPv4 and dedicated IPv6 address, ensuring that you're prepared for the future. >>If you'd like to learn more about he.net's $1 / month web hosting plan, >> click here