Difference between IP version 4 and IP version 6

IPv4 means Internet Protocol version 4, whereas IPv6 means Internet Protocol version 6.

IPv4 is 32 bits IP address that we use commonly, it can be 192.168.8.1, 10.3.4.5 or other 32 bits IP addresses. IPv4 can support up to 232 addresses, however the 32 bits IPv4 addresses are finishing to be used in near future, so IPv6 is developed as a replacement.

IPv6 is 128 bits, can support up to 2128 addresses to fulfill future needs with better security and network related features. Here are some examples of IPv6 address:

1050:0:0:0:5:600:300c:326b
ff06::c3
0:0:0:0:0:0:192.1.56.10


Address Space
IPv4:4 Billion Addresses
IPv6:2^128
79 Octillion times the IPv4 address space

Configuration
IPv4: Manual or use DHCP
IPv6: Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) with or without DHCP
Lower Operation Expenses and reduce error

Broadcast / Multicast
IPv4: Uses both
IPv6: No broadcast and has different forms of multicast
Better bandwidth efficiency

Anycast support
IPv4: Not part of the original protocol
IPv6: Explicit support of anycast
Allows new applications in mobility, data center

Network Configuration
IPv4: Mostly manual and labor intensive
IPv6: Facilitate the re-numbering of hosts and routers
Lower operation expenses and facilitate migration

QoS support
IPv4: ToS using DIFFServ
IPv6: Flow classes and flow labels
More Granular control of QoS

Security
IPv4: Uses IPsec for Data packet protection
IPv6: IPsec becomes the key technology to protect data and control packets
Unified framework for security and more secure computing environment

Mobility
IPv4: Uses Mobile IPv4
IPv6: Mobile IPv6 provides fast handover, better router optimization and hierarchical mobility
Better efficiency and scalability; Work with latest 3G mobile technologies and