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<\/a><\/p>\nAn IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique address for a device or server on a network, which routers use to deliver data packets to the correct recipient. In simple terms, it is the \u2018coordinates\u2019 of a node on the Internet. When you enter a domain in your browser, DNS finds the IP address, and a request is sent to that address – this is the only way the network understands where to connect.<\/p>\n
Separate from the IP is the port – the number of a specific service within the node. The IP answers the question \u2018where to go,\u2019 and the port answers \u2018which service to contact.\u2019 The same server can have one IP but serve many different services (web, mail, SSH) on different ports. For the web, 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS) are most often used, and for SSH, 22 is used.<\/p>\n
IP addresses are assigned and managed at different levels: in a local network, they are usually distributed by a router (automatically via DHCP), and public addresses are assigned by an ISP or hosting provider (for servers, VPS, dedicated machines). In hosting, IP is important not only for accessing the site, but also for the correct operation of infrastructure elements: server management, DNS record settings, SSL\/TLS, email reputation mechanisms, etc.<\/p>\n
Most often, IP addresses are distinguished as follows:<\/p>\n
- \n
- public<\/strong> (visible on the Internet, used for servers and hosting) and private<\/strong> (only work in local networks and access the outside world through NAT);<\/li>\n
- static<\/strong> (fixed and unchanging) and dynamic<\/strong> (may change over time or when reconnecting).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The format of the address itself and the rules for its use are determined by the protocol version: IPv4 or IPv6. The version determines how the address looks, how many of them can exist, and what network capabilities are available \u2018out of the box.\u2019.<\/p>\n
What is IPv4?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nIPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol, which defines the rules for addressing and delivering packets on the network. IPv4 has been the basis of the Internet for decades and remains the most common IP address format for websites, servers, and provider networks.<\/p>\n
IPv4 uses 32-bit addressing, so the total number of possible unique addresses is limited to approximately 4.3 billion. The address is written as four numbers from 0 to 255, separated by dots, for example: 203.0.113.10 or 192.168.0.1. In the context of hosting and domains, it looks like this: a domain in DNS most often points to an IPv4 address via an A record, and the browser connects to the server at that address.<\/p>\n
The problem with IPv4 is that this version was created at a time when no one predicted the current scale: billions of smartphones, IoT devices, virtual machines, containers, and cloud services. Therefore, free public IPv4 addresses have become a scarce resource over time, and networks have begun to use address \u2018saving\u2019 techniques (the most famous being NAT) on a massive scale.<\/p>\n
IPv4 characteristics and limitations<\/h2>\n
IPv4 is a mature and highly compatible protocol: it is supported by virtually all network equipment, operating systems, and provider networks. That is why it still dominates the Internet and remains the default option for hosting and domains: most websites have an A record in DNS that points to the server’s IPv4 address.<\/p>\n
The key technical features of IPv4 have developed historically. The protocol allows packet fragmentation along the route (routers can split a packet if it does not fit the MTU), uses ARP to determine MAC addresses in the local network segment, and addresses are configured manually or via DHCP. For many scenarios, this works reliably, but it adds layers of logic to the infrastructure and complicates the maintenance of large or dynamic networks.<\/p>\n
The main limitation of IPv4 is the shortage of address space. 4.3 billion sounds like a lot, but there are significantly fewer public addresses due to service reserves and historical allocation rules, and the number of devices and services is constantly growing. That is why NAT is widely used, allowing many devices on a local network to access the Internet through a single public address.<\/p>\n
This is invisible to the user, but NAT often becomes a source of complexity for the infrastructure: it violates the end-to-end principle, complicates transparent routing, makes it more difficult to organise direct incoming connections, and some services require additional configuration or workarounds.<\/p>\n
Another practical disadvantage is that security is not an integral part of IPv4. Traffic protection is usually implemented on top of or alongside the protocol (VPN, TLS, optional IPsec), which requires additional architecture and control. IPv4 also historically uses broadcast mechanisms in local networks, which can create unnecessary load in large segments.<\/p>\n
IPv4 works reliably, but as a platform for growth, it has long been \u2018on the verge\u2019: the Internet relies on a scarce resource of addresses and compromises such as NAT. This was the fundamental reason for the emergence of IPv6.<\/p>\n
What is IPv6?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nIPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the next version of the Internet Protocol, created as a long-term replacement for IPv4. Its main task is to eliminate the shortage of addresses and lay the foundation for modern network principles: simpler routing, better scalability, and normal end-to-end architecture without constant dependence on NAT.<\/p>\n
IPv6 uses 128-bit addressing, so the available address space has virtually no real limitations for the development of the Internet. The address is written in hexadecimal format, divided into blocks, for example: 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334. The record can be shortened: sequences of zeros are compressed with ::, and extra zeros in blocks are omitted – this makes addresses more readable, although they are still longer than IPv4.<\/p>\n
In conjunction with domains, IPv6 works just as logically as IPv4: a domain name in DNS can point to a server’s IPv6 address via an AAAA record. If the client (browser, application, bot) and network support IPv6, the connection will be made directly via IPv6. If not, IPv4 or compatibility mechanisms in the infrastructure are used. This explains why today it is common to set up a \u2018dual stack\u2019 where the same service is available over both IPv4 and IPv6.<\/p>\n
IPv6 features and limitations<\/h2>\n
IPv6 was designed as a protocol for a large, dynamic Internet, where there should be a sufficient supply of addresses and the network should be easier to route and scale. Compared to IPv4, it has a different design logic: fewer \u2018historical layers\u2019 and more emphasis on efficiency and automation.<\/p>\n
Key features of IPv6:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Large address space (128 bits):<\/strong> enough addresses for clouds, containers, IoT, and future growth without having to \u2018economise\u2019 at every turn<\/li>\n
- SLAAC (stateless autoconfiguration):<\/strong> devices can obtain an address automatically without classic DHCP as the only mechanism<\/li>\n
- No broadcast:<\/strong> multicast is used instead, reducing \u2018background\u2019 traffic in network segments<\/li>\n
- Fragmentation is performed by the sender, not routers:<\/strong> routers do not cut packets \u2018along the way,\u2019 which simplifies traffic processing<\/li>\n
- Simplified packet header:<\/strong> fewer fields and a fixed structure reduce routing overhead<\/li>\n
- IPsec support at the protocol level (optional):<\/strong> encryption and authentication are provided by the IPv6 architecture<\/li>\n
- Better support for real-time scenarios:<\/strong> the protocol includes mechanisms that help the network serve \u2018sensitive\u2019 flows more correctly<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The limitations of IPv6 are not related to its \u2018weakness\u2019 but to the reality of its implementation. IPv6 is not directly compatible with IPv4, so the transition requires infrastructure solutions: dual-stack (parallel support), tunnelling, or translation. Because of this, migration in large networks often turns into a project involving addressing planning, security policies, equipment upgrades, monitoring, and team training.<\/p>\n
Another practical issue is uneven support: some providers, corporate networks, outdated devices, and software are still not fully ready for IPv6. As a result, IPv6 is already the standard \u2018for the future,\u2019 but in the real Internet, it often works alongside IPv4 rather than replacing it.<\/p>\n
Key differences between IPv4 and IPv6<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \nParameter<\/th>\n IPv4<\/th>\n IPv6<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Address length<\/strong><\/td>\n 32 bits<\/td>\n 128 bits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Address example<\/strong><\/td>\n 203.0.113.10<\/td>\n 2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:370:7334<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Number of possible addresses<\/strong><\/td>\n \u2248 4.3 billion<\/td>\n \u2248 3.4 \u00d7 1038<\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n DNS record for a domain<\/strong><\/td>\n A \u2192 IPv4<\/td>\n AAAA \u2192 IPv6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Address shortage<\/strong><\/td>\n Yes, public addresses are limited<\/td>\n Practically none<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n NAT<\/strong><\/td>\n Widely used<\/td>\n Not required by design<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Address configuration<\/strong><\/td>\n Manual or DHCP<\/td>\n SLAAC and\/or DHCPv6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Broadcasting in a LAN<\/strong><\/td>\n Used (broadcast)<\/td>\n No broadcast; multicast is used<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Packet fragmentation<\/strong><\/td>\n Routers may fragment packets<\/td>\n Only the sender fragments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Neighbor discovery in a LAN<\/strong><\/td>\n ARP<\/td>\n NDP (Neighbor Discovery)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Packet header<\/strong><\/td>\n More complex; includes a header checksum<\/td>\n Simpler; no header checksum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n QoS \/ traffic flow labeling<\/strong><\/td>\n Limited protocol-level capabilities<\/td>\n Flow Label field for traffic flows<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Security<\/strong><\/td>\n IPsec is possible but not typical<\/td>\n IPsec is built into the architecture (usage is optional)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
The practical conclusion for domains and hosting is simple: if your domain has an A record, it points to IPv4; if it has an AAAA record, it points to IPv6. In modern infrastructure, both records are often configured so that the site is accessible to both customers who use IPv6 and those who still use IPv4. This is not a \u2018choose one option\u2019 situation, but a way to ensure maximum compatibility and stable access regardless of the user’s network.<\/p>\n
What makes IPv6 better?<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe main advantage of IPv6 is that it removes the fundamental limitation of IPv4: the lack of addresses. But in practice, it’s not just \u2018more combinations.\u2019 The large address space changes the approach to building networks: instead of constant savings and complex NAT schemes, you can design infrastructure that is more straightforward, easier to understand, and scalable.<\/p>\n
This is important for hosting and servers for several reasons. First, IPv6 allows you to assign unique addresses to services, virtual machines, containers, development and testing environments without fighting for every IPv4 address. Second, the \u2018end-to-end\u2019 logic returns: the client can access the server directly, without additional address translation layers, which reduces the number of network \u2018bottlenecks\u2019 and simplifies diagnostics.<\/p>\n
From a technical standpoint, IPv6 provides more efficient network operation on a large scale: it has a simplified header, fewer unnecessary mechanisms in local segments (no broadcast), and fragmentation is not transferred to routers. As a result, network equipment can process traffic more easily, and infrastructure is easier to automate – thanks in particular to SLAAC and more logical addressing.<\/p>\n
A separate advantage is its readiness for modern scenarios. Where the number of microservices, Kubernetes pods, isolated environments, and temporary instances is growing, IPv6 is a more natural fit for the idea of \u2018everything scales quickly and extensively.\u2019 That is why IPv6 support on the hosting side is not a marketing \u2018check mark,\u2019 but an infrastructure reserve for the future and a reduction in dependence on the scarce IPv4 resource.<\/p>\n
Which IP protocol is more secure: IPv6 or IPv4?<\/h2>\n
- SLAAC (stateless autoconfiguration):<\/strong> devices can obtain an address automatically without classic DHCP as the only mechanism<\/li>\n
- static<\/strong> (fixed and unchanging) and dynamic<\/strong> (may change over time or when reconnecting).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n