IPv4 and IPv6

Comparison Essay # 117511

Computer and Technology > Internet

A comparative analysis of Internet protocols versions 4 and 6.

1,132 words () | 8 sources | MLA | 2009 | United States

Published on: Dec 06, 2009

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the IP or Internet protocol was designed to facilitate data transfer between two applications on two different computers. It looks at how IPv4 is the fourth derivative of the original IP that has gained universal application as being the only protocol of the Internet. It is a data oriented protocol for use in the packet switched networks like the ethernet. In comparison, the paper also examines how the major advantage of the new version IPv6 is the availability of more number of IP address, which enables not only computers, but also each mobile phone and mobile electronic devices can be allotted with an IP address.

Outline:
Introduction
IPv4
IPv6
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The major advantage of the new version is the availability of more number of IP address, which enables not only computers, but also each mobile phone and mobile electronic devices can be allotted with an IP address. While the earlier version of IPv4 supports 232 addresses which works out be 4.3 billion the new sixth version offers total addresses of the value of 2128 which provides approximately 2 1028 for each and every individual living human being in this world out of the total world population of about 6.5 billion. The exact number is 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456. (Wikipedia). The large-scale availability of addresses does away with the Network Address Translation scheme that affects the end-to-end nature of Internet traffic followed in IPv4 protocol. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Maufer, Thomas A, IP Fundamentals, 1999, Prentice Hall, NJ,
Hunt, Graig, TCP/IP Network Administration,5th Edition, 2004, O'Reilly Associates, CA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6
http://www.gcn.com/print/21_10/18550-1.html