Internet Protocol (IP) refers to the numeric address given to each device connected to a network. Think of it like a telephone number – a unique set of numbers that enables people to exchange a conversation over a phone call.

An IP address, on the flip side, has two primary functions. Firstly, it allows users to be recognized over the internet. Secondly, it enables our devices to send and receive data.

This guide will unveil two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPV6. Moving forward, we’ll also reveal how an IPv4 proxy is different from IPv6 and which one is better.

What Are Proxies?

Proxies are intermediaries that stand between the user and the internet. Generally, our requests are sent directly to the website. This allows the internet to access our location, risking our privacy.

However, when connected to a proxy server, our web requests pass through the proxy, which sends them forward. Later, the site sends information to the proxy server, which forwards us the previously requested data.

This begs the question, “Why is there a need to set up a proxy server when you can receive the data directly from the website?”

Receiving data directly from the website reveals our identity and makes our activity vulnerable to cyber attacks.

However, proxy servers use their unique IP addresses, altering ours. As a result, the web never accesses our IP, which keeps our activity anonymous.

Altering the IP address offers tons of benefits, from accessing geo-restricted content to web scraping.

IPv6 Vs. IPv4: What’s the Difference?

The primary purpose of IPv6 and IPv4 remains the same – they are used to identify the users and allow them to communicate over the internet.

However, IPv6 is relatively newer, and its features differ from the standard IPv4 address. We’ll take a closer look at the key differences between both.

IPv4

IPv4 was introduced in the early 1980s. Although the newer version has been launched, IPv4 remains prevalent in business.

These addresses are written in a dot-decimal notation. Each part demonstrates a group of 8-bits that form a 32-bit address. The only downside is that the number of IPv4 addresses is limited.

For instance, data shows that only 4 billion IPv4 addresses exist. The cap often leads to blocks and bans.

In fact, a report shows that America ran out of IPv4 addresses in 2015. Better yet, it carries loads of internet traffic.

IPv6

IPv6 was officially developed in 1998 to replace the existing IPv4 addresses. They use hexadecimal numbers divided by colons. They are separated into eight 16-bits, forming a 128-bit address.

Apparently, there’s a possibility to produce roughly 3.4 X10³⁸ addresses. Although it feels like a large, infinite number, it might not suffice one day. However, these addresses would be enough for a long time.

IPv4 Vs. IPv6: Primary Differences

IPv4 and IPv6 differ in their decimals and number of addresses. However, comparing both in detail reveals more differences.

• Address types. IPv4 has multicast, broadcast, and unicast address types. On the other hand, IPv6 offers anycast, multicast, and unicast addresses.
• Packet size. The minimum packet size for IPv4 is 576 bytes. However, the minimum packet size for IPv6 is 1208 bytes.
• Header fields. IPv4 supports 12 header fields, while IPv6 has 8 header fields.
• Security. The security of IPv4 relies on applications and sites for the most part. However, IPv6 integrates mandatory Internet Protocol Security (IPSec).
• Configuration. You must configure a new system with IPv4 to communicate with other systems. However, IPv6 keeps configuration optional.
• Compatibility. The dot-decimal notion doesn’t make IPv4 suitable for all mobile devices. However, IPv6 uses colons, making it a suitable choice for mobile networks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of IPv6 Vs. IPv4 Proxies

IPv4 is historically significant because it made online connection and IoT possible. However, IPv6 does more to meet expectations. We’ll enlist some advantages and disadvantages of both below.

Pros of IPv4

• ISPs can conveniently use it to control traffic.
• It offers an established connection on all internet-connected devices
• One can easily memorize simple IPv4 addresses.

Cons of IPv4

• IPv4 needs complex protocols to expand.
• It doesn’t provide an end-to-end host connection, contradicting one of the basic principles of Internet protocol.
• Provides a limited number of IP addresses

Pros of IPv6

• The countless number of IP addresses won’t exhaust anytime soon
• It offers a simple routing infrastructure and efficient addressing
• IPv6 integrates better error control techniques
• It offers enhanced compatibility with mobile networks
• The boosted bandwidth efficiency helps streamline several devices simultaneously

Cons of IPv6

• It lacks bandwidth interoperability. Put simply, an IPv4-enabled device won’t connect to IPv6.
• It lacks gradual transition support. Hence, its implementation might get a little costly for bigger firms.

Use cases of IPv4 and IPv6 Proxy

Both IPv4 and IPv6 proxies are used to bypass censorship, scrape the web, and maximize online security. However, IPv6 offers better security and more IP addresses. So, you won’t run out of IP addresses or encounter bans when using IPv6.

However, because it isn’t compatible with IPv4 devices, the entire internet would need to upgrade to IPv6. This explains why although more businesses are turning to IPv6, IPv4 is still widely used.

Conclusion

Although an IPv4 proxy is more prevalent, IPv6 is the future. The shift, however, would be long and complicated.

So, unless the newer version becomes more effective, you can continue to use the existing IPv4. The key is to use a reliable, high-quality proxy server nonetheless. For further reading on IPv4 proxies, visit Oxylabs.