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What is IPv6 and do I need it for Web Hosting?

Have you recently heard about the switch the Internet is making from IPv4 to IPv6?

This switch may sound intimidating, especially if you aren’t sure what either IPv4 or IPv6 is. However, learning about the importance of IPv6 and what the impact this has on your website hosting capabilities will help you to understand the importance of IPv6 better.

That’s why today, we’ve created this quick guide to help you get a better understanding of IPv6. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is an IP address?

IP is the abbreviation for Internet Protocol. Your IP address is the number linked to all of the online activity that you complete on a specific device. You can think about an IP address similar to the address of your home.

What Is IPv4?

IPv4 is the fourth version of the IP that has been released. This version of IP has developed a unique set of rules that the Internet uses for communication. However, the global supply of IPv4 is close to becoming exhausted.

The fourth version of IP addresses uses 32-bit integers that can be noted in hexadecimal notation. More commonly, you will find a version for the IP addresses having a dotted-decimal or a dotted quad. As of 2011, there are 4.3 billion IP version 4 addresses that are used to provide all types of Internet streaming devices with their unique address.

However, there has recently been a need for a new version of IP. This is because there now aren’t enough unique IP addresses under IPv4. The Internet is now undergoing a transition to the next IP version, referred to as IPv6.

What is IPv6?

IP version 6 is the most recently developed version of IP addresses that were created to fill the need for more IP addresses. With 128-bit address space, IP version 6 can offer unique addresses to 240 “undecillion” devices.

You may also commonly hear IP version 6 referred to as IPNG, an abbreviation for Internet Protocol Next Generation.

IPv4 vs IPv6

There are several differences between the features that IP version 4 and IP version 6 offer to the internet community.

While both versions of the IP address use binary numbers, IP version 4 uses a 32Bit binary number. On the other hand, IP version 6 uses a 128-bit binary number address to identify each device that’s connected to the Internet.

With IPv4, you’ll find that the generated addresses are separated with periods. IPv6 uses colons to separate information.

Another big difference is that IPv4 has checksum fields, while IPv6 doesn’t use checksum fields.

Do You Need IPv6 for Web Hosting?

If you’re using a shared hosting account for your website hosting, your website will be dependent upon your hosting provider. However, if you use your own server, you’ll have to obtain an IPV6 address from your hosting provider.

Does setting up an IPv6 address to your web server sound like a confusing hassle? It would help if you considered switching to CanSpace. Our servers fully support IPv6 and still have many IPv4 addresses that’ll last into the foreseeable future.

Ultimately this switchover should be handled by your web hosting provider, and as long as you have a provider like CanSpace that is fully IPv6 compliant, this is not an issue you have to worry about yourself.

Understanding the Importance of IPv6

IPv6 allows for nearly unlimited devices to have their own unique IP address. If you’re looking to ensure that your website stays up to date with the latest version of IP, you need to find a hosting company that’ll allow you to integrate IPv6 onto your website seamlessly.

That’s where we step in to help. Click here to learn how CanSpace can help you today.

CanSpace Team

CanSpace Solutions is Canada's leading domain name registrar and web hosting provider. Keep an eye on our blog for expert information on domain names, websites, and running a business online.