2.5 – Network Configurations: IPv4 and IPv6

IPv4 is the primary protocol used for communication between devices on networks today.

An IPv4 address consists of four numbers, each separated by a period (.).

Each number in an IPv4 address represents an 8-bit segment, also called a byte or octet.

The maximum value of each number in an IPv4 address is 255 because 8 bits can represent values from 0 to 255.

IPv6 is a newer version of IP which uses 128 bits to represent addresses.

IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal format and are separated into eight groups of 16 bits each.

IPv6 was developed to address the limitations of IPv4 in providing enough addresses for the growing number of internet users and devices.

With 128 bits, IPv6 provides a vast number of addresses, enough to assign unique addresses to almost everything on Earth.

A 128-bit address used for identifying devices on a network, offering longer address space compared to IPv4. Each device on the network needs a unique IPv6 address.

A 32-bit address used for identifying devices on a network, but limited to a specific number of addresses.

A text-based label, like www.google.com, translated into an IP address for communication.

A service that translates domain names into their corresponding IP addresses.

A specific 32-bit number that identifies a device within a network.

A unique number that helps determine which network a device belongs to.

A router's IP address that allows devices to connect to the internet beyond their local network.

A key configuration parameter that should always be assigned alongside an IP address, helping identify the network a device belongs to.

An address used to communicate with a remote server, commonly used for accessing websites across the internet.

A service that helps your network communicate with other networks, connecting your local devices to the larger internet.