IPv4 – Explanation
The fourth version of the Internet Protocol, or IPv4, is a popular protocol for exchanging data over various networks. Internet Protocol version 4 is a connectionless protocol that operates in packet-switched layer networks like Ethernet. Instead, it gives each network device a special identifier to create a logical connection between them. There are both manual and automatic configurations for configuring IP version 4 with various devices, depending on the type of network.
What does IPv4’s future hold?
The digital industry has advanced significantly since the introduction of IPv4 in the 1980s. Additionally, the number of people utilizing one or more gadgets has significantly expanded. There are approximately 8 billion individuals in the modern world, yet IPv4 and its 32-bit addresses can accommodate only a little more than 4 billion.
Thus, the issue is now apparent. Network managers are forced to reuse IP addresses since there aren’t enough of them available. They must also properly manage and maintain their IP address pool.
Their cost rises as a result of the scarcity of IPv4 addresses. Therefore, the newest IPv6 version is becoming increasingly popular, primarily because of this.
IPv4 and IPv6 are both essential components of the Internet infrastructure, and both are essential for keeping users and businesses connected around the world. As IPv4’s current limitations become more evident, it will be essential that both protocols be adapted and upgraded in order to ensure the security, scalability, and availability of Internet services for the foreseeable future.
How can you check the IPv4?
Your IP address can be easily found. An IP address that regularly changes is said to be dynamic. You can find out your computer’s IP address by doing the procedures listed below:
Windows
Enter cmd in the Start menu of Windows to open the Command Prompt. Next, enter the command ipconfig into the Command Prompt. Your IP address will be among the information provided by the program.
macOS
Launch the Terminal application. Utilize the macOS Terminal command curl ifconfig.me to obtain your public IP address. To discover the private Internet Protocol version 4 address, use ipconfig getifaddr en0.
Linux
Open a terminal window to get start. You can use the three commands “hostname -I,” “ip addr,” and “ifconfig” to verify Internet Protocol version 4. These commands all produce the IPv4 address as a result.
Furhermore, you can use the dig command to check an IPv4 address. The dig (Domain Information Groper) command is primarily used for querying DNS servers and obtaining various types of DNS records, including the IPv4 addresses (A records) associated with a domain. Here’s how you can use dig to check the IPv4 address for a domain:
dig +short example.com
Benefits
Because there are fewer numbers in constructing IPv4 addresses, they are more straightforward. On the other hand, the format of the new IPv6 version is more complex. This is crucial when it comes to physical labor. Human error is substantially less likely with IPv4.
A substantially wider range of compatibility is available with Internet Protocol version 4. This version of Internet Protocol works flawlessly on both outdated and contemporary computers. On the other hand, the vast majority of current technology gadgets do not support IP address version 6.
Conclusion
We might conclude that IPv4 made up the majority of the current Internet traffic because it was the first Internet Protocol version to receive widespread adoption. Maybe IPv6 stands for the present and IPv4 for the past. We’ll begin formally greeting the new one and gradually bidding the old one farewell.
